LOMÈ, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - In the southern part of Togo (French mandate). Before 1860 it belonged to the apostolic vicariate of the Two Guineas, then to that of Dahomey, from which it was detached with the erection of the apostolic prefecture of Togo (12 Apr. 1892), raised to an apostolic vicariate on 16 March 1914. After further divisions, it assumed its present designation of L.
It is entrusted to the Fathers of the African Missions. It has an area of 23,800 sq. km., with 489,104 inhabitants, of whom 109,003 are Catholics. It has 253 churches, including 17 parishes, served by 3 diocesan priests and 39 religious; assisted by 7 female religious congregations. There are 74 schools, including 1 vocational and 1 teacher-training school; among its charitable institutions it has 1 leprosarium, 1 hospital, 5 orphanages, and 1 shelter. Numerous small associations (Ann. Pont., 1951, p. 678).