BOMA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - The Belgian missionaries of Scheut, having founded the first stations of Moada (1889) and B. (1890) in the Belgian Congo, spread into Mayumbe, opening there the station of Kangu (1899). By the dismemberment of the apostolic vicariate of Leopoldville, that of B. was therefore erected (26 February 1934).
Area of the territory comprising the coastal region, bounded by the Congo River, the Atlantic Ocean, the Cabinda enclave, and French Congo up to a line running north-south from French Congo itself to the river downstream of Matadi, approximately 12,000 sq km. According to the statistics of 1948 the total population is 269,441 inhabitants, among whom 127,986 Catholics and 18,071 catechumens; Protestants 38,458, Muslims 26, pagans 84,900. In the 99 stations (12 residential) there are assigned 11 indigenous secular priests, 39 missionaries, 25 foreign brothers and 3 from the indigenous Congregation "Bisiello bi s.tu Josefi", assisted by 87 sisters from six different Congregations, among them the "Bisiello bi s.Maria". There is a minor seminary (63 students) and a preparatory one (23 students); 13 among philosophers and theologians are received in the regional seminary of Kabwe (Kasai). Noteworthy: 971 catechists and 361 teachers in schools of various kinds: 280 elementary of first and second grade (10,407 students), 1 middle school (142 students), 1 normal school (160 students). Various charitable works and associations of Catholic Action and craft schools effectively assist the work of the missionaries.
The vicariate ranks first, in the Belgian Congo, for the number of Catholics relative to the total population. To numerical progress corresponds qualitative progress.