BANGUELO, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - This apostolic vicariate, entrusted to the White Fathers, was erected on 28 January 1913, having been detached from the territory of Nyassa (Southern Rhodesia). Its area is 135,000 sq. km. At its inception, the vicariate had just over 700 Catholics and 16,446 catechumens out of a total population of 600,000 to 700,000 souls.
The greatest difficulty, then as now, has been the scourge of divorce, sometimes sanctioned by traditional superstitions. Another difficulty, which emerged after the war of 1914-18 and worsened between 1927 and 1931, has been the emigration of many young people to the mines of Katanga, South Africa, and, closer at hand, to Ndola in Southern Rhodesia itself. This phenomenon has repercussions on the mission, which is concerned about family morality, severely tested by the prolonged absence of the male element. Another major issue—though one that has been resolved with a good outcome—has been the adaptation of school facilities to new government regulations; the government maintains perfect impartiality between Catholics and Protestants.
In 1923, ten years after its creation, the vicariate already counted 31,501 Catholics and more than 20,000 catechumens, with 33 missionaries, 8 sisters, and 316 catechists. In 1931-32, due to the economic crisis that led to the closure of several mines, the mission saw many emigrants return to their homes. In 1937, part of its territory was detached to enlarge the Apostolic Vicariate of Lwanga (v.).
According to the 1947 statistics, the vicariate has a population of approximately 400,000, of whom 126,358 are indigenous Catholics and 16 are foreign. There are 8,520 catechumens, 17,000 Protestants, 150 Muslims, and 240,000 pagans. There are 59 priests, 13 brothers, 36 sisters, and numerous catechists. There are 142 elementary schools with 13,582 pupils; 19 middle schools with 862 pupils; and 2 normal schools with 81 pupils.