1910
First Missionary Contact
✠
Fr. Shoening, a German SVD missionary working in Togo, cycled to Yendi and appealed for missionaries to be sent to the area.
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Catholic Diocese of Yendi
The Catholic Diocese of Yendi is a vibrant local Church dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, and transforming lives through faith, education, healthcare, and social development. Rooted in Christ and committed to serving the people of Northern Ghana, the Diocese promotes human dignity, strengthens communities, and brings hope to all through its pastoral and social mission.
We are called to continue the mission of Christ through the proclamation of the Gospel to Christians and non-Christian (Mat. 28:19), aimed at the evangelization and the integral development of every person and the promotion of God's Creation.
We, God's family in the Catholic Diocese ofYendi. We believe all people are children of God, made in His image andLikeness (Gen. 1 :27).
Patron Saint and Coat of Arms
Our Lady of Lourdes: Patron Saint of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi.
The story began on 11 February 1858, when Bernadette, a poor fourteen-year-old girl, encountered a beautiful Lady dressed in white, with a blue sash, a veil, golden roses at her feet and a rosary in her hand. The Lady appeared to her at a grotto near the River Gave. Over the following weeks, Bernadette reported a total of 18 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
During these apparitions, Mary called for prayer, penance and the conversion of sinners. She also instructed Bernadette to ask the local priests to build a chapel at the grotto and encouraged people to come there in procession. A spring emerged at the site, which later became associated with numerous reported healings and a worldwide ministry of prayer for the sick.
On 25 March 1858, the Feast of the Annunciation, the Lady revealed her identity to Bernadette with the words, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” This declaration became a defining moment in the history of Lourdes and deepened devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
1999
Ordained and installed as the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi.
Present
Pastoral leadership in evangelization, formation, administration, and service to the People of God.
Established
16 Mar. 1999
Cathedral
Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral
Parishes
15
Deaneries
4
Square Miles
To be updated
Full History
Early Missionary Beginnings (1910–1959) The history of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi began in 1910, when Fr. Shoening, a German Divine Word Missionary (SVD), arrived in Yendi from Togo. Recognising the area's strategic importance, he appealed for missionaries to begin evangelisation. In March 1925, Bishop Hermans of the Society of African Missions (SMA) undertook a sixteen-day bicycle journey from Kpando to explore the possibilities of establishing a Catholic mission. Despite initial restrictions imposed by the colonial government, permission for Catholic evangelisation was granted in 1932. The SMA began missionary activities in 1933, followed by the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), who ministered in the area from 1948. On 21 December 1957, Fr. John McNulty became the first resident Catholic priest in Yendi. The parish was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes on 8 December 1958.
The Arrival of the Divine Word Missionaries (1959–1982) A significant turning point came in 1959 when the Divine Word Missionaries were authorised to assist the White Fathers in the Tamale Diocese, with Yendi as their operational base. Their arrival in 1960 strengthened evangelisation and accelerated the growth of the Church. The first Catholic school in Yendi opened on 5 January 1960, followed by the arrival of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate on 7 February 1961. The missionaries also established a clinic and expanded pastoral and educational activities. On 20 May 1963, the newly completed Our Lady of Lourdes Church was blessed by Bishop Peter P. Dery. Between 1963 and 1982, the Church expanded considerably, establishing communities and parishes in areas including Chereponi, Tatale, Bimbilla, Chamba and Gushegu. Missionaries, religious sisters, catechists and lay collaborators played vital roles in spreading the faith. Their work extended beyond evangelisation to education, healthcare, clean-water provision, agricultural support and the formation of local Christian leaders.
Discover the Diocese
In 1862, the local bishop declared the apparitions worthy of belief. Since then, Lourdes has become one of the world's most renowned Catholic pilgrimage sites, welcoming millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal, healing and hope.
For the Catholic Diocese of Yendi, Our Lady of Lourdes holds special significance, as the Cathedral Church in Yendi is dedicated to her. Her example continues to inspire the faithful to deepen their prayer, trust in God, care for the sick and vulnerable, and respond to Christ's call with humility and faith.
Catholics Served
To be updated
Pastoral Areas
Yendi Deanery The Yendi Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi comprises four parishes, each serving the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful within its respective community. The deanery promotes collaboration among the parishes in advancing the mission of the Church through evangelisation, sacramental ministry, catechesis, and community development. The four parishes that make up the Yendi Deanery are: 1. Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Parish – Yendi 2. St. Anthony the Great Parish – Sang 3. St. Jude Parish – Karaga 4. Christ the King Parish – Gushegu
The Saboba Deanery of the catholic Diocese of yendi comprises of Four parishes, each serving the spiritual needs of their respective communities and its surrunding outstations. the four parishes that make up this deanery are as follows: 1. St. Charles Lwanga Parish - Saboba 2. St. Brigid's Parish - Chereponi 3. Holy Cross Parish - Sambuli 4. Holy Trinity Quasi Parish - Wapuli
The Bimbilla Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi comprises four parishes dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel and serving the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful in their respective communities. Through evangelisation, sacramental ministry, catechesis, and community engagement, the parishes contribute to the mission and growth of the Catholic Church within the deanery. The four parishes that make up the Bimbilla Deanery are: 1. St. Joseph Parish – Bimbilla 2. St. Anthony of Padua Parish – Wulensi 3. Holy Spirit Parish – Chamba 4. Sacred Heart Parish – Bincheratanga
The Tatale Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Yendi comprises three parishes that serve the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful in their respective communities. Through evangelisation, sacramental ministry, catechesis, and community engagement, these parishes contribute to the mission of the Church and the growth of the Catholic faith within the deanery. The three parishes that make up the Tatale Deanery are: 1. SS. Peter and Paul Parish – Tatale 2. Good Shepherd Parish – Gnani 3. St. Augustine of Hippo Parish – Zabzugu
Select a Deanery to view its parishes.
Challenges, Conflict and Peacebuilding (1994–1999) On 4 February 1994, an inter-ethnic conflict between the Dagomba and Konkomba communities devastated parts of Yendi and its surroundings. The Catholic Church suffered serious losses, including damage to church property, the destruction of vehicles and motorbikes, and the demolition of the Church-managed health clinic. Despite these challenges, the missionaries and local collaborators persevered. Restoration work on the church and presbytery was completed in 1996, and pastoral activities gradually resumed. On 16 March 1999, Pope St. John Paul II established the Catholic Diocese of Yendi, separating it from the Archdiocese of Tamale. The new Diocese began with six parishes: Yendi, Chereponi, Saboba, Tatale, Bimbilla and Chamba. On 10 July 1999, Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, SVD, was ordained and installed as the first Bishop of Yendi. His episcopate focused on strengthening diocesan structures, deepening pastoral formation and promoting peace and development. On 29 July 2000, Fr. Gregory Dery became the first priest ordained for the Diocese. Growth, Development and Service to Humanity Over the years, the Diocese has expanded from six parishes in 1999 to thirteen parishes and two quasi-parishes, serving communities across the region. Its pastoral and social mission encompasses education, healthcare, youth and women's empowerment, child protection, and peacebuilding. Through institutions such as St. Vincent College of Education and Bishop Vincent Academy in Yendi, St. Joseph Technical School in Saboba, and other schools across the Diocese, the Church contributes to expanding educational opportunities, particularly in rural communities. Healthcare initiatives include St. Joseph Clinic and Maternity Home in Chamba, St. Elizabeth Catholic Clinic in Juasi, Holy Cross Clinic and Maternity Home in Sambuli, and other health facilities. The St. Arnold Janssen New Look Optical Workshop in Saboba provides optical services to people in need. The Diocese also supports vulnerable children through orphanage initiatives in Sang and Makayili. Women and young people have benefited from skills training, livelihood support and empowerment programmes. In response to recurring tensions in the region, Bishop Vincent promoted dialogue and mediation. Following the murder of Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II in March 2002, renewed unrest affected the region. These circumstances reinforced the need for sustained peacebuilding, leading to the establishment of the Yendi Peace Centre. Bishop Vincent's contribution to peace and social justice was recognised in 2007 when he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Peace and Social Justice from the American Embassy. Other important initiatives include the St. Martin Centre for Pastoral Formation, the Bible Centre at Gnani, and the St. Rita's Centre, constructed in 2019 and officially opened in 2023. These institutions support pastoral formation, Scripture-related activities, peacebuilding, and the protection of children and vulnerable adults. New Leadership and the Journey Forward (2022–2024) After twenty-three years of service, Bishop Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai reached the canonical retirement age. On 3 June 2022, Pope Francis's appointment of Most Rev. Matthew Yitiereh as the second Bishop of Yendi was announced. Bishop Yitiereh was ordained and installed on 20 August 2022. Building on the foundations laid by his predecessor, Bishop Yitiereh has continued strengthening diocesan structures, undertaking pastoral visits and engaging clergy, religious and lay faithful in the mission of the Church. In 2024, the Diocese celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey from the pioneering missionary efforts of 1910 to an established local Church committed to evangelisation, human development, peace and service. Today, the Catholic Diocese of Yendi continues its mission of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments and serving the people of the region. Guided by faith and inspired by Christ's call to serve, the Diocese remains committed to nurturing Christian communities, promoting human dignity and contributing to the spiritual and social transformation of the people entrusted to its care.
