LAGO ALBERTO, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO di – Administration of Confirmation in a church of the apostolic vicariate of L. A.
LAGO ALBERTO, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO di – It is situated in the north-eastern part of the Belgian Congo, near L. A., and is entrusted to the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). On 27 June 1922, a territory was detached Uganda (v.) and Stanley Falls (now Stanleyville [v.]), and was erected into the apostolic prefecture of L. A. On 13 December 1933, it was elevated to an apostolic vicariate. The vicariate is distinguished by a population divided among numerous races (19); the diverse customs and languages constitute a serious obstacle to evangelization.
It has an area of 43,000 sq. km. According to the statistical data of 1949, the population numbers over 585,000 inhabitants, of whom 162,801 are indigenous Catholics, 1,248 foreign Catholics, and 98 of mixed descent; catechumens 66,101; dissidents of the Eastern rite 244; Protestants 42,916; Muslims 283; pagans approximately 312,000. There are 8 indigenous priests, 60 foreign priests, 29 indigenous lay brothers with 6 novices, 14 foreign lay brothers, 63 indigenous sisters with 23 novices, 57 foreign sisters, 9 major seminarians educated at the regional Seminary of Nykibanda (Ruanda, [v.]) and a minor seminary with 78 pupils, 1,460 catechists, 1,206 male teachers and 39 female teachers, 2 doctors and 56 certified nurses; 15 principal stations
and 1,189 secondary stations, 68 churches, 1,279 chapels; 6 hospitals with 547 beds, 8 orphanages with 87 boys and 118 girls, 1 leprosarium with 54 patients, 10 women’s workshops with 531 workers, 7 women’s homes with 295 residents, 1 printing press, 977 schools with 41,887 pupils of both sexes. There are flourishing associations of Catholic Action.
Nieuwe Afrika, 64 (1948), pp. 64-69.