BOMA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — The Belgian missionaries of Scheut, having founded the first stations at Moada (1889) and B. (1890) in the Belgian Congo, spread into Mayumbe, opening the station at Kangu (1899). Following the division of the Apostolic Vicariate of Leopoldville, that of B. was consequently erected (26 February 1934).
Area of the territory comprising the coastal region, bounded by the Congo River, the Atlantic Ocean, the enclave of Cabinda, French Congo, and a line running north-south from French Congo to the river downstream from Matadi: approximately 12,000 sq. km. According to the 1948 statistics, the total population is 269,441 inhabitants, including 127,986 Catholics and 18,071 catechumens; Protestants 38,458, Muslims 26, pagans 84,900. In the 99 stations (12 residential stations), there serve 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, including the «Bisiello bi s.Maria». There is a minor seminary (63 students) and a preparatory seminary (23 students); 13 philosophy and theology students are received at the regional seminary of Kabwe (Kasai). Also noteworthy are 971 catechists and 361 teachers in schools of various kinds: 280 elementary schools of the first and second levels (10,407 pupils), 1 middle school (142 pupils), 1 normal school (160 pupils). Various charitable works, 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 in relation to the total population. Numerical progress is matched by qualitative progress.