The Apostolic Vicariate of Tripoli (Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Tripolitanus) is a Latin Church missionary territory or apostolic vicariate of the Catholic Church in Tripolitania, Libya.
It is immediately exempt to the Holy See, depending on the Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and not part of any ecclesiastical province
Although still named after its episcopal see, it has no cathedral since Tripoli Cathedral was converted into a mosque. Currently the temporary cathedral is the St. Francis Pro-Cathedral located in the city of Tripoli that simultaneously serves as a parish church.[1]
History
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Pro-cathedral of St. Francis in Tripoli
Established in 1630 as Apostolic Prefecture of Tripoli, on territory canonically split off from the Spanish Diocese of Islas Canarias.[2]
Promoted and renamed in 1894 as Apostolic Vicariate of Libya, hence entitled to a titular bishop.[2]
Renamed on February 3, 1927 as Apostolic Vicariate of Tripolitana, having lost territory to establish the Apostolic Vicariate of Cyrenaica (later renamed Benghazi, after its see).[2]
June 22, 1939: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Tripoli , having lost more Libyan territory to establish the Apostolic Prefecture of Misurata.[2]
Statistics
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Tripoli Cathedral before conversion into a mosque
As of 2014[update], it pastorally served 50,000 Catholics (0.8% of 6,204,000 total) on 1,000,000 km² in one cathedral parish and 15 missions with 5 priests (1 diocesan, 4 religious), and 18 lay religious (6 brothers, 12 sisters).[2]