The Roman Catholic Diocese of Constantine (-Hippone) is a Roman Catholic diocese in the ecclesiastical province of Algiers in Algeria.

History

Already since the second century the town of Constantine, then known as Cirta, was the seat of a bishop until the region fell to the invading Arab Muslims in the seventh century. On 25 July 1866, the diocese was established from the Diocese of Algiers as Diocese of Constantine. Its name was changed to the Diocese of Constantine (-Hippone) on 23 September 1867. The territory of this diocese is much bigger than that of the ancient diocese of Cirta and compromises around 195 dioceses that existed in the fifth century. Before the enforcement of the Association law of 1901, the Lazarists, the Little Brothers of Mary and the White Fathers were active in the diocese.

Geography

The diocese is located in north eastern Algieria. It includes parishes in Constantine, Annaba, Skikda, Sétif, Béjaïa, Batna, and Tébessa.

Special churches

The current pro-cathedral is the minor basilica Basilique Saint Augustin in Annaba (Hippo). The former cathedral of the diocese is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Sept-Douleurs in Constantine. The building is now a mosque.

Bishops of Constantine

Sources