Kinshasa (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap., Cardinal, Archbishop
Edouard Isango Nkoyo, Auxiliary Bishop
Charles Ndaka Salabisala, Auxiliary Bishop
Edouard Tsimba Ngoma, C.I.C.M., Auxiliary Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Name Changed: 30 May 1966
Metropolitan See
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Square Kilometers: 8,500 (3,283 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Archeveche, 2 Avenue de l'Universite, Quartier Mososo, Commune Limete, Kinshasa 1, Rep, Democratique du Congo
Telephone: (081)438.76.05

Historical Details

Mission "Sui Iuris" of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente
- Erected: 22 November 1886
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente
- Elevated: 11 May 1888
- Vicariate
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga}
- Latin Name: Congi Belgici
- Name Changed: 1908
- Vicariate
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
- Latin Name: Leopoldopolitanus
- Name Changed: 3 April 1919
- Vicariate
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Archdiocese of Léopoldville
- Latin Name: Leopoldopolitana
- Elevated: 10 November 1959
- Metropolitan See
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

Past and Present Ordinaries

François Camille Van Ronslé, C.I.C.M. † (5 Jun 1896 Appointed - 4 Mar 1926 Resigned)
Noël (Natal-Pierre-Marie) de Cleene, C.I.C.M. † (4 Mar 1926 Succeeded - 20 Jul 1932 Resigned)
Hildon-Georges-Marie Six, C.I.C.M. † (26 Feb 1934 Appointed - 24 Nov 1952 Died)
Félix Scalais, C.I.C.M. † (29 Jun 1953 Appointed - 7 Jul 1964 Resigned)
Joseph-Albert Malula † (7 Jul 1964 Appointed - 14 Jun 1989 Died)
Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M. † (7 Jul 1990 Appointed - 6 Jan 2007 Died)
Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya † (6 Dec 2007 Appointed - 1 Nov 2018 Retired)
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (1 Nov 2018 Succeeded - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Mission "Sui Iuris" of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente
22 November 1886	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Two Guineas {Des Deux Guinées}	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente
11 May 1888	Elevated	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente
12 May 1898	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente	Prefecture Apostolic of Uélé / Wellé (erected)
31 January 1903	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente	Prefecture Apostolic of Koango o Kwango (erected)
18 March 1904	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente	Prefecture Apostolic of Kasaï Superiore (erected)
3 August 1904	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente	Prefecture Apostolic of Stanley Falls (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga}
1908	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} o Indipendente	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga}
5 August 1910	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga}	Prefecture Apostolic of Katanga (erected)
7 April 1911	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} (Between the Ubangi and Congo rivers)	Prefecture Apostolic of Ubanghi Belga {Belgian Ubanghi} (erected)
1 July 1911	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} (Area between the Congo River and the Southern limits of the Belgian dominion)	Prefecture Apostolic of Matadi (erected)
3 April 1919	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga} (Northern region)	Vicariate Apostolic of Nouvelle-Anvers (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
3 April 1919	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Belgian Congo {Congo Belga}	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
31 May 1921	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Part of Mayomba)	Prefecture Apostolic of Matadi
22 February 1923	Territory Added		Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Boundaries clarified) Prefecture Apostolic of Matadi (Boundaries clarified)
29 January 1924	Territory Added	Prefecture Apostolic of Koango o Kwango (Ndolo) Archdiocese of Makassar (Kinshasa)	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
30 June 1926	Territory Added		Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Boundaries clarified) Prefecture Apostolic of Matadi (Boundaries clarified)
27 April 1927	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Bafalce, Belongo Weti, and Hongo)	Prefecture Apostolic of Coquilhatville
3 January 1931	Territory Lost	Prefecture Apostolic of Coquilhatville (Bikoro) Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Remaining part of Bikoro)	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Bikoro (erected)
26 February 1934	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Majumbe)	Vicariate Apostolic of Boma (erected)
5 January 1939	Territory Added	Vicariate Apostolic of Matadi (area south of the urban district of Léopoldville city)	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
24 May 1950	Territory Added		Vicariate Apostolic of Coquilhatville (Boundries adjusted) Vicariate Apostolic of Koango o Kwango (Boundries adjusted) Vicariate Apostolic of Kisantu (Boundries adjusted) Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Boundries adjusted)
14 June 1951	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville (Lómela and Dehese along with part of Kole and Eastern part of Oshwe)	Prefecture Apostolic of Kole (erected)
29 June 1953	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville	Vicariate Apostolic of Inongo (erected)
5 December 1958	Territory Added		Vicariate Apostolic of Kisantu Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
Archdiocese of Léopoldville
10 November 1959	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville	Archdiocese of Léopoldville
Archdiocese of Kinshasa
30 May 1966	Name Changed	Archdiocese of Léopoldville	Archdiocese of Kinshasa

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 Léopoldville

1950 116,631 481,653 24.2% 4 110 114 1,023 169 166 ap1951

Archdiocese of Léopoldville

Archdiocese of Kinshasa

1970 560,300 1,250,000 44.8% 225 225 2,490 322 337 30 ap1971

1980 1,096,000 2,030,000 54.0% 44 190 234 4,683 325 331 73 ap1981

1988 1,700,000 3,400,000 50.0% 113 212 325 5,230 498 382 94 ap1991

1998 3,700,000 6,000,000 61.7% 330 377 707 5,233 914 1,271 123 ap2001

2001 3,900,000 6,500,000 60.0% 354 237 591 6,598 667 1,123 125 ap2002

2002 3,900,000 6,500,000 60.0% 363 276 639 6,103 764 1,141 125 ap2003

2003 3,900,000 6,500,000 60.0% 405 388 793 4,918 921 1,206 125 ap2004

2004 3,500,000 7,000,000 50.0% 311 680 991 3,531 1,139 1,679 125 ap2005

2006 3,601,000 7,203,000 50.0% 336 702 1,038 3,469 1,249 1,813 125 ap2007

2013 5,830,000 10,516,000 55.4% 196 970 1,166 5,000 1,661 1,982 143 ap2014

2016 6,378,000 11,323,000 56.3% 238 970 1,208 5,279 1,661 1,982 143 ap2017

2019 7,118,000 12,940,000 55.0% 226 970 1,196 5,951 1,721 1,028 158 ap2020

2021 7,253,356 12,256,830 59.2% 269 413 682 10,635 1,164 543 160 ap2022

2023 7,744,000 13,084,000 59.2% 299 449 748 10,352 1,214 993 160 ap2024

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
1950	116,631	481,653	24.2%	4	110	114	1,023	169	166		ap1951
Archdiocese of Léopoldville
Archdiocese of Kinshasa
1970	560,300	1,250,000	44.8%		225	225	2,490	322	337	30	ap1971
1980	1,096,000	2,030,000	54.0%	44	190	234	4,683	325	331	73	ap1981
1988	1,700,000	3,400,000	50.0%	113	212	325	5,230	498	382	94	ap1991
1998	3,700,000	6,000,000	61.7%	330	377	707	5,233	914	1,271	123	ap2001
2001	3,900,000	6,500,000	60.0%	354	237	591	6,598	667	1,123	125	ap2002
2002	3,900,000	6,500,000	60.0%	363	276	639	6,103	764	1,141	125	ap2003
2003	3,900,000	6,500,000	60.0%	405	388	793	4,918	921	1,206	125	ap2004
2004	3,500,000	7,000,000	50.0%	311	680	991	3,531	1,139	1,679	125	ap2005
2006	3,601,000	7,203,000	50.0%	336	702	1,038	3,469	1,249	1,813	125	ap2007
2013	5,830,000	10,516,000	55.4%	196	970	1,166	5,000	1,661	1,982	143	ap2014
2016	6,378,000	11,323,000	56.3%	238	970	1,208	5,279	1,661	1,982	143	ap2017
2019	7,118,000	12,940,000	55.0%	226	970	1,196	5,951	1,721	1,028	158	ap2020
2021	7,253,356	12,256,830	59.2%	269	413	682	10,635	1,164	543	160	ap2022
2023	7,744,000	13,084,000	59.2%	299	449	748	10,352	1,214	993	160	ap2024

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

Affiliated People, Living

Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (Coadjutor Archbishop: 6 Feb 2018; Archbishop: 1 Nov 2018 - )
Donatien Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana, S.J. (Auxiliary Bishop: 31 Mar 2015 to 31 Mar 2018)
Timothée Bodika Mansiyai, P.S.S. (Priest: 1 Aug 1990 to 1993; Auxiliary Bishop: 2 Feb 2012 to 19 Nov 2016)
Edouard Isango Nkoyo (Priest: 4 Aug 2002; Auxiliary Bishop: 15 Jul 2023)
Jean-Crispin Kimbeni Ki Kanda (Priest: 30 May 1999; Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Jun 2020 to 11 Jun 2022)
Jean-Pierre Kwambamba Masi (Auxiliary Bishop: 31 Mar 2015 to 31 Mar 2018)
Joseph-Bernard Likolo Bokal’Etumba (Priest: 30 May 1999 to 15 Feb 2021)
José-Claude Mbimbi Mbamba
José Moko Ekanga, P.S.S. (Priest: 1 Aug 1986 to 26 May 2009)
Sébastien-Joseph Muyengo Mulombe (Priest: 1 Aug 1986; Auxiliary Bishop: 2 Feb 2012 to 15 Oct 2013)
Charles Ndaka Salabisala (Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Jun 2020)
Fidèle Nsielele Zi Mputu
Libère Pwongo Bope (Priest: 4 Jan 1992 to 11 Nov 2023)
Vincent Tshomba Shamba Kotsho (Priest: 1 Aug 1990; Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Jun 2020 to 11 Jun 2022)
Edouard Tsimba Ngoma, C.I.C.M. (Auxiliary Bishop: 15 Jul 2023)

Affiliated People, Deceased

Dominique Bulamatari Kizayakana † (Priest: 20 Apr 1980; Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Oct 1999 to 14 Nov 2009)
Noël (Natal-Pierre-Marie) de Cleene, C.I.C.M. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 18 Dec 1924; Vicar Apostolic: 4 Mar 1926 to 20 Jul 1932)
Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M. † (Archbishop: 7 Jul 1990 to 6 Jan 2007)
Edouard Kisonga Ndinga, S.S.S. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Oct 1999 to 30 Jan 2022)
Joseph-Albert Malula † (Priest: 9 Jun 1946; Auxiliary Bishop: 2 Jul 1959; Archbishop: 7 Jul 1964 to 14 Jun 1989)
Eugène Moke Motsüri † (Auxiliary Bishop: 1 Sep 1970 to 11 May 1991)
Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya † (Archbishop: 6 Dec 2007 to 1 Nov 2018)
Philippe Nkiere Keana, C.I.C.M. †
Daniel Nlandu Mayi † (Priest: 20 Apr 1980; Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Oct 1999 to 11 Nov 2008; Apostolic Administrator: 13 Jan 2007 to 2 Feb 2008)
Simon N’Zita Wa Ne Malanda †
Félix Scalais, C.I.C.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 29 Jun 1953; Archbishop: 10 Nov 1959 to 7 Jul 1964)
Hildon-Georges-Marie Six, C.I.C.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 26 Feb 1934 to 24 Nov 1952)
Tharcisse Tshibangu Tshishiku † (Auxiliary Bishop: 1 Sep 1970 to 26 Nov 1991)
François Camille Van Ronslé, C.I.C.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 5 Jun 1896 to 4 Mar 1926)

Source(s)

Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 11, Page 228, and Page 229
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 15, Page 122, and Page 123
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 18, Page 428, and Page 429
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 31, Page 181, and Page 182
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 43, Page 284, and Page 285
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 51, Page 110
Archdiocese of Léopoldville
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 16, Page 149, and Page 150
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 52, Page 372, to Page 377

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Archdiocese of Kinshasa

Archidioecesis Kinshasana