KEETMANSHOOP, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — The territory of this vicariate belonged to German South-West Africa, which after the First World War (17 Dec. 1920) was placed under mandate to the Union of South Africa. In 1888 Propaganda entrusted it to the care of the Apostolic Vicariate of Orange River, now Keimoes. In 1898 the first mission was established at Heirachabis, followed by those at Warmbad (1906) and Gabis (1907). On 7 July 1909 the territory was detached from the Apostolic Vicariate of Orange River and erected as the Apostolic Prefecture of Great Namaqualand. On 2 June 1913 the boundaries with the Apostolic Prefecture of Lower Cimbebasia, now the Apostolic Vicariate of Windhoek, were rectified.
The First World War completely destroyed the work accomplished up to that time, and, in addition, opposition from the Protestants made it possible to resume the apostolate only after 1922. On 14 July 1930 it was elevated to a vicariate, and on 13 Jan. 1949 its name was changed to that of K. The land, owing to the scarcity of rainfall, is very poor and has very few means of communication. The indigenous population belongs chiefly to the tribes of the Naman or Hottentots, Bastards, Daman or Damara, and Hereros. Unless they are Protestants, they profess no true religion but merely follow superstitious customs and practices. The languages most widely used are Afrikaans and Nama.
It has an area of 284,102 sq. km. and a population of approximately 56,000 inhabitants, of whom: Catholics 8,400, catechumens 320, Protestants approximately 33,000, Jews 300, pagans approximately 13,000. It is entrusted to the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. There are 15 missionaries, 4 brothers, 61 sisters, 16 catechists, 3 quasi-parishes, 18 primary stations, 8 secondary stations, and 18 chapels. There are 2 hospitals with 36 beds, 14 dispensaries, 15 orphanages with 30 boys, 13 elementary schools with 762 pupils, and 10 secondary schools with 598 pupils. Catholic Action is developing.