FORT LAMY, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. — In French Equatorial Africa: it was erected on 9 Jan. 1947 with territory detached from the apostolic vicariates of Foumban and Khartoum. Exchanges of territory were made with the prefecture of Berberati and the apostolic vicariate of Bangui in order to make the boundaries of the new prefecture coincide with the civil boundaries of the colony of Tchad, which forms part of French Equatorial Africa. It is entrusted to the Jesuits.
The vast territory of approximately 1,180,000 sq. km. is divided into various districts, of which those of Kanem, Barha, and Ouadai are Muslim; those of Selamat and Chari-Baguirmi have been Islamized; and the districts of Mayo-Kebbj, Logone, and Moyen-Chari are active. The new prefecture thus has the purpose of halting the Muslim advance from north to south. The capital is F. L., on Lake Tchad. The climate is very hot. The population numbers approximately 1,400,000 inhabitants, of whom 1,000,000 are Muslims, 400,000 pagans, 1,500 Protestants, 993 Catholics, and 1,000 catechumens. There are 7 Jesuit missionaries, 2 brothers, and 11 Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles, distributed among 6 primary and 2 secondary stations. Three elementary schools have been opened, with numerous pupils. The climate, the Muslim environment, the multiplicity of dialects spoken, as well as competition from the Protestants, make the missionaries’ work extremely arduous.