KEIMOES, DIOCESE OF. — In the Union of South Africa. The ancient mission began in 1873 through the efforts of the Fathers of the Society of African Missions of Lyon, who ceded it to the Oblates of St Francis de Sales in 1882. For three years these worked under the jurisdiction of the Vicar Apostolic resident in Cape Town. By decree of 20 June 1885 it was erected into the Apostolic Prefecture of the Orange River and on 2 May 1898 became a Vicariate Apostolic. On 21 July 1940 it was changed to its present status. On 11 January 1951, with the establishment of the ecclesiastical hierarchy in the Union, it was raised to the status of a diocese.
The territory covers about 152,696 sq. km., largely desert with very scanty rainfall. Communications are few and difficult. The European population is 40,660 and the non-European 60,950, consisting of coloured people and indigenous members of the Damara and Ottenotti races. The Europeans are for the most part descended from the Dutch and are wealthy shepherds. The indigenous people are very poor and the young speak Afrikaans. Catholics number 15,233 in all, of whom only 681 are foreigners. There are 358 catechumens. Protestants number 84,400 and are generally very active. There are 24 missionaries, 11 brothers, 60 sisters, 67 catechists. There are 15 primary stations, 23 secondary stations, 8 churches, 20 chapels. There is 1 hospital with 10 beds, 14 orphanages with 1,217 boys, 1 printing press, 26 elementary schools with 3,643 pupils, 1 secondary school with 26 pupils, 2 vocational schools with 30 pupils.