ABIDJAN, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE. - The mission of the Ivory Coast, in West Africa, entrusted to the Society of African Missions of Lyon and erected into an apostolic prefecture on 28 June 1895, by the division of the prefecture of the Gold Coast (q.v.), was raised to the status of a vicariate on 17 November 1911. Following the boundary adjustment (decree of 18 September 1905) with the vicariate of the Sahara in French Sudan (q.V. KHARTUM), two important territorial changes occurred: the northern part of the Ivory Coast was detached to form the apostolic prefecture of Korhogo (q.v.); then the western part was erected into the vicariate of Sassandra (q.v.), while the remaining mission assumed the name of A. (from the seat of the ordinary), as per the brief *Quo intra fines*, of 9 April 1940. The territory covers an area of 200,000 sq. km.; the total population (approximate estimate of 1941) is about 680,000, including over 500,000 pagans, 75,100 Catholics (4,500 Europeans, with a few Syro-Lebanese) and 36,976 catechumens; 48,000 Protestants and about 25,000 Muslims. The 18 quasi-parishes are assisted by 391 catechists spread across 507 secondary stations; there are 523 churches and chapels.
The personnel consists of one secular priest and 33 missionaries, including two brothers of the Society of African Missions of the Province of Lyon, with 54 Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles (Venissieux). Education, entrusted to religious and 103 lay teachers, takes place in officially recognized district schools and other free schools, as well as in orphanages and colleges: in total, 91 elementary schools (3,095 pupils) and 19 secondary schools (3,291 pupils). Besides a preparatory seminary, there is a minor seminary, established in 1936 and moved to a new site at Birgerville (28 pupils).
From the embryonic printing press of Grand-Bassam comes the periodical *La Côte d'Ivoire Chrétienne* (1,500 copies). Almost all villages have been evangelized, except in the districts of Bouaké and Dimbokro; the movement of conversions is rapidly increasing, even among the Baule, who were previously resistant.
Schools and charitable and social works (especially in the operational centre of Treichville) and youth associations of Catholic Action contribute to spiritual progress, despite difficulties and obstacles (shortage of personnel, enormous distances, lack of communications, Muslim proselytism, especially due to Diule traders from the north).