Sakania-Kipushi (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Gaston Kashala Ruwezi, S.D.B., Bishop
Elie Amsini Kiswaya, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Name Changed: 5 March 1977
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Lubumbashi
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Square Kilometers: 40,000 (15,450 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: B.P. 521, Kafubu-Kipushi [Lubumbashi], Rep. Democratique du Congo
Telephone: 47.373

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Luapula Superiore
- Erected: 12 May 1925
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Vicariate Apostolic of Sakania
- Latin Name: Sakaniensis
- Elevated: 14 November 1939
- Vicariate
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Diocese of Sakania
- Latin Name: Sakaniensis
- Elevated: 10 November 1959
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Lubumbashi
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

Past and Present Ordinaries

Joseph Sak, S.D.B. † (14 Jul 1924 Appointed - 15 Mar 1946 Died)
René van Heusden, S.D.B. † (13 Feb 1947 Appointed - 22 Mar 1958 Died)
Pierre François Lehaen, S.D.B. † (12 Feb 1959 Appointed - 15 Jun 1973 Resigned)
Elie Amsini Kiswaya (20 Nov 1975 Appointed - 21 Dec 2001 Resigned)
Gaston Kashala Ruwezi, S.D.B. (7 Apr 2004 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Luapula Superiore
12 May 1925	Erected		Prefecture Apostolic of Katanga (erected) Prefecture Apostolic of Luapula Superiore (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Sakania
14 November 1939	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Luapula Superiore	Vicariate Apostolic of Sakania
Diocese of Sakania
10 November 1959	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Sakania	Diocese of Sakania
Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi
5 March 1977	Name Changed	Diocese of Sakania	Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Vicariate Apostolic of Sakania

1950 19,479 45,000 43.3% 36 36 541 51 19 ap1951

Diocese of Sakania

1970 72,840 148,410 49.1% 60 62 122 597 88 42 ap1971

Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi

1980 75,000 160,215 46.8% 2 39 41 1,829 52 38 5 ap1981

1990 103,000 191,000 53.9% 13 35 48 2,145 62 50 7 ap1991

1999 109,480 203,515 53.8% 13 26 39 2,807 59 47 8 ap2000

2000 109,880 203,915 53.9% 21 26 47 2,337 63 44 8 ap2001

2001 109,975 203,995 53.9% 17 22 39 2,819 59 48 8 ap2002

2002 109,975 203,995 53.9% 20 21 41 2,682 69 46 8 ap2003

2003 109,975 203,995 53.9% 20 24 44 2,499 73 51 8 ap2004

2004 109,975 203,995 53.9% 21 24 45 2,443 75 54 8 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Sakania
1950	19,479	45,000	43.3%		36	36	541	51	19		ap1951
Diocese of Sakania
1970	72,840	148,410	49.1%	60	62	122	597	88	42		ap1971
Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi
1980	75,000	160,215	46.8%	2	39	41	1,829	52	38	5	ap1981
1990	103,000	191,000	53.9%	13	35	48	2,145	62	50	7	ap1991
1999	109,480	203,515	53.8%	13	26	39	2,807	59	47	8	ap2000
2000	109,880	203,915	53.9%	21	26	47	2,337	63	44	8	ap2001
2001	109,975	203,995	53.9%	17	22	39	2,819	59	48	8	ap2002
2002	109,975	203,995	53.9%	20	21	41	2,682	69	46	8	ap2003
2003	109,975	203,995	53.9%	20	24	44	2,499	73	51	8	ap2004
2004	109,975	203,995	53.9%	21	24	45	2,443	75	54	8	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops

Elie Amsini Kiswaya (Bishop: 20 Nov 1975 to 21 Dec 2001)
Gaston Kashala Ruwezi, S.D.B. (Bishop: 7 Apr 2004 - )
Pierre François Lehaen, S.D.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 12 Feb 1959; Bishop: 10 Nov 1959 to 15 Jun 1973)
Joseph Sak, S.D.B. † (Prefect: 14 Jul 1924; Vicar Apostolic: 14 Nov 1939 to 15 Mar 1946)
René van Heusden, S.D.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Feb 1947 to 22 Mar 1958)

Diocese of Sakania-Kipushi