LAGOS, ARCHDIOCESE of. — From 1842 to 1860, the territory of the Gulf of Benin was under the jurisdiction of the apostolic vicar of the Two Guineas. In 1860, the Fathers of the Society of African Missions began the evangelization of the Benin Coast and succeeded in obtaining considerable results. On 28 Aug. 1860, the territory was erected into the apostolic vicariate of Dahomey, separated from the vicariate of the Two Guineas, and entrusted to the aforementioned Society. On 24 Aug. 1870, the apostolic vicariate of Dahomey was called the Benin Coast; it extended from the Niger River to the Volta River. In 1883, the apostolic prefecture of Dahomey was divided, now partly into the apostolic vicariate of Ouidah, comprising the territory east of the Okpara River. After various boundary adjustments, made in 1894, 1901, and 1926, it received the name of L. on 12 Jan. 1943 and was elevated to an archdiocese on 18 Apr. 1950. It has an area of 33,000 sq. km. and a population of 2,650,000 inhabitants, with strong contingents of Protestants and Muslims.
The work is distributed among 15 primary stations and 220 secondary stations. There are 56,308 Catholics and 5,272 catechumens, directed by 62 Fathers, 10 indigenous priests, and 150 catechists. The female works of education and charity are cared for by 45 European religious and 5 indigenous women religious. The mission has a small seminary with 12 students, and 3 students of philosophy and theology; 3 normal schools, with 285 pupils; 3 secondary schools, with 520 pupils; 17 middle schools, with 2,796 pupils; and 110 elementary schools, with 15,578 pupils. There are also 1 hospital with 60 beds, 9 orphanages with 214 children, 1 home for the elderly with 14 residents, and 1 leprosarium with 24 patients. The mission publishes a small newspaper in English, Nigerian catholic herald.
BIBL. AAS, 35 (1943), pp. 81-82; 41 (1949), pp. 433-34; GM, pp. 246-47; MC, 1950, p. 117; Arch. di Prop. Fide, Prospectus status missionum, posiz. prot. n. 3768/49. Giovanni B. Tragella