OUAGADOUGOU, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - In French West Africa. It originated from the apostolic prefecture of Sahara and Sudan, erected in 1868 by detachment from the apostolic vicariate of Central Africa (v. KHARTUM).
Cardinal Lavigerie was appointed superior or apostolic delegate with the faculty of subdelegation and under the immediate dependence of Propaganda. The aforesaid prefecture, elevated to an apostolic vicariate in 1891 and very extensive, modified its own boundaries many times over the course of the years through the erection of several other apostolic prefectures and vicariates, until 12 June 1947. Thus reduced, it has an area of about 70,200 sq. km. and comprises the three administrative circles of O., Kaya and Tenkodogo. It is inhabited in the majority by Mossi who speak the Moré language. In the south-eastern region are found the Boussassés, who speak Bis a, among other less important tribes, the Koussassés, Nankanes and Kassems who speak distinctive languages. In the south-west, sparsely inhabited, are found the Gourounie who speak Gourouné. All are farmers.
The population is about 975,370 inhabitants, of whom 22,870 are Catholics, 6,000 catechumens, 1,500 Protestants, 110,000 Muslims and the rest pagans. Primary stations 9, secondary 185. Foreign missionaries number 37 and native ones 11. Sisters 21 foreign and 50 native; brothers 6 foreign and 5 native, teachers 47 and 227 catechists. In the minor seminary 93 young men are studying, about twenty of them from the apostolic prefecture of Ouahigouya and one from the apostolic prefecture of Niamey. Elementary schools 13 and vocational schools 4. In the normal school of Toussiana of the apostolic vicariate of Bobo-Dioulasso 28 pupils are studying. Protestants and Muslims also have schools. Hospitals 7, dispensaries 7, orphanages 1, homes for the aged 2. Various associations of Catholic Action also flourish.
Bibliography4 works
Saverio Paventi