The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monaco (Latin: Archidioecesis Monoecensis) is an exempt Latin ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Monaco, directly subject to the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province.
The archdiocese's mother church and thus seat of its archbishop is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Saint Nicholas's or Monaco Cathedral). Bernard César Augustin Barsi was appointed Archbishop of Monaco by Pope John Paul II on May 16, 2000.
It enjoyed a Papal Visit by Pope Clement VII in 1532.
It was established as a pre-diocesan jurisdiction on 30 April 1868.04.30, as Territorial Abbacy of Saints-Nicholas-et-Benoît, on territory split off from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nice.
It was promoted as the Diocese of Monaco by Pope Leo XIII on March 15, 1887, and was elevated to the rank of an Archdiocese by Pope John Paul II on July 30, 1981.
(all Roman Rite)
Abbots Ordinary of Saints-Nicholas-et-Benoît
Romarico Flugi d’Aspermont, Subiaco Cassinese Benedictines (O.S.B. Subl.) (1868.05.21 – 1871)
Léandre de Dou, O.S.B. Subl. (1871 – 1874)
Hildebrand Marie Dell’Oro di Giosué, O.S.B. Subl. (1874 – 1875)
Apostolic Administrator Lorenzo Battista Biale (1875 – death 1877), while Bishop of Ventimiglia (Italy) (1837.05.19 – death 1877)
Apostolic Administrator Charles-Bonaventure-François Theuret (1878.07.15 – 1887.03.15 see below), Titular Bishop of Hermopolis Maior (1878.07.15 – 1887.03.15)
Exempt Bishops of Monaco
Charles-Bonaventure-François Theuret (see above 1887.03.15 – death 1901.11.11)
Jean-Charles Arnal du Curel (1903.10.02 – death 1915.06.06)
Gustave Vié (1916.05.08 – death 1918.07.10)
Georges-Prudent-Marie Bruley des Varannes (1920.12.16 – 1924.02.13), emeritate as Titular Archbishop of Claudiopolis in Honoriade (1924.02.13 – death 1943.05.29)
Auguste-Maurice Clément (1924.04.25 – 1936.03.02), emeritate as Titular Bishop of Algiza (1936.03.02 – death 1939.03.03)
Pierre-Maurice-Marie Rivière (1936.03.02 – 1953.05.13), emeritate as Titular Archbishop of Anchialus (1953.05.13 – 1961.11.07)
Gilles-Henri-Alexis Barthe (1953.05.13 – 1962.05.04), later Bishop of Fréjus–Toulon (France) (1962.05.04 – retired 1983.02.08)
Jean-Édouard-Lucien Rupp (1962.06.09 – 1971.05.08); previously Titular Bishop of Arca in Phoenicia (1954.10.28 – 1962.06.09) & Auxiliary Bishop of France of the Eastern Rite (France) (1954.10.28 – 1962.06.09); later Apostolic Pro-Nuncio (papal diplomatic envoy) to Iraq (1971.05.08 – 1978), Titular Archbishop of Dionysiopolis (1971.05.08 – 1983.01.28), Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Kuwait (1975 – 1978), Permanent Observer to Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva (UNOG) (1978 – retired 1980)
Edmond-Marie-Henri Abelé (1972.06.27 – 1980.12.01), later Bishop of Digne (France) (1980.12.01 – 1987.06.02)
Exempt Archbishops of Monaco
Charles Amarin Brand (1981.07.30 – 1984.07.16); previously Titular Bishop of Uthina (1971.12.28 – 1981.07.30) & Auxiliary Bishop of Fréjus–Toulon (France) (1971.12.28 – 1976.11.18), Auxiliary Bishop of Strasbourg (France) (1976.11.18 – 1981.07.30); later Archbishop-Bishop of Strasbourg (1984.07.16 – 1988.06.01), Vice-President of Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (1986 – 1990), Archbishop of Strasbourg (France) (1988.06.01 – 1997.10.23), President of Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (1990 – 1993)
Joseph-Marie Sardou, Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (T.D.) (1985.05.31 – retired 2000.05.16)
Bernard César Augustin Barsi (16 May 2000 - ...)
There are five parish churches including: Saint-Charles Church, Church St. Devote, Saint Martin Church and Saint Nicholas Church. Chapels include: Chapel of Mercy, Chapel of the Sacred Heart and the Carmelite Chapel.
On Sunday November 13, 2011, the parish church of Saint Martin celebrated its centenary in the presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, with Princess Caroline and Princess Alexandra of Hanover. Archbishop Barsi blessed the Byzantine cross and the third bell named "Alexandra".
