KEIMOES, DIOCESI di. - In the Union of South Africa. The ancient mission was begun in 1873 by the Fathers of the Society of African Missions of Lyon, who transferred it to the Oblates of St. Francesco di Sales in 1882. For three years they worked under the jurisdiction of the apostolic vicar residing in Città del Capo. By decree of 20 June 1885 it was erected into the apostolic prefecture of the Orange River, and on 2 May 1898 it became an apostolic vicariate. On 21 July 1940 it was given its present name. On 11 Jan. 1951, with the establishment of the ecclesiastical hierarchy in the Union, it was elevated to a diocese.
The territory covers approximately 152,696 sq. km. and is largely desert, with very scant rainfall. Means of communication are few and difficult. The European population is 40,660 and the non-European population 60,956, consisting of coloured people and natives of the Damara and Hottentot races. The Europeans are for the most part descendants of the Dutch and are wealthy pastoralists. The natives 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, and 67 catechists. There are 15 principal stations, 23 secondary stations, 8 churches, and 20 chapels. There is 1 hospital with 10 beds, 14 orphanages with 1,217 children, 1 printing press, 26 elementary schools with 3,643 pupils, 1 secondary school with 26 pupils, and 2 vocational schools with 30 pupils.