Bouar's cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bouar, established in 1978 by Pope John Paul II and now covering a vast area of western CAR. The cathedral itself is a modest one-storey brick-and-tin-roof building, more parish church than European cathedral, but it is the centre of Christian life in the region and the most reliable point of contact for foreign visitors who need help arranging a guide, transport, or accommodation.
The Capuchin Friars who run the Diocese maintain a guesthouse next to the cathedral that can accommodate overland travellers when the local hotels are full or unsafe. Speak French; the Friars are friendly, knowledgeable, and the single best source of local information.