While small in number, Catholics have occupied noteworthy positions in Jamaican society, and have founded many educational institutions in the country.

Upon Spanish arrival, the local Taíno were put under the encomienda forced labour system, with one of its objectives being the evangelization of the native population.

King Ferdinand II himself expressed his desire to give priority to Catholic education in the process of conquest, and to avoid the shortcomings of the system in Hispaniola from being repeated in Jamaica.

[3] Because of Jamaica's smaller population and resources, and its lesser economic and strategic importance relative to Santo Domingo and Cuba, a more rudimentary administrative-religious organization was adopted, and so an Abbey was established for the spiritual governance of the island starting in 1514-1515.

Before this, the dioceses of Santo Domingo and Santiago de Cuba squabbled for control over the abbey, deriving in a spiritual abandonment of the island.

By 1870, Roman Catholics had again become a significant presence in Jamaica and were granted freedom to worship in public, which allowed them to evangelize, especially in the parishes of Kingston and Saint Andrew.

[9] As new missionaries and members of religious orders came to Jamaica, churches were built and schools were set up, one of the best known and most influential being St. George's College.

On his way to attend World Youth Day 1993, Pope John Paul II visited Jamaica from 9 to 11 August.

[13][14] In 1991, parts were split off from the Archdiocese of Kingston and the Diocese of Montego Bay in order to erect the Apostolic Vicariate of Mandeville.