FOUMBAN, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - The Apostolic Vicariate of F., in French Cameroon, apart from subsequent changes to its boundaries, corresponds to the former Apostolic Prefecture of Adamaua, established in 1914 with territories from the missions of Khartum, Ubangi-Chari, and Cameroon; it changed its name in 1923 and was elevated to a vicariate in 1934. It covered an area of 350,000 sq. km. and had a population of about one and a half million. In 1947, the northern region was detached to form the Apostolic Prefecture of Garoua.
Within the reduced territory, the priests of the Sacred Heart continued their work; in 1948, there were 34 of them, assisted by 2 indigenous priests, 8 European brothers, 12 European sisters, and 12 indigenous sisters, along with 995 catechists. There were 13 main mission stations and 779 secondary ones, 2 primary schools for Europeans and 108 for indigenous people, with over 13,000 pupils. There was also a hospital, 13 dispensaries, 4 leper colonies, and 1 old people’s home. Out of a population of 52,000, the Catholics numbered 85,380, and the catechumens 18,300, as recorded in 1948.