POINTE-NOIRE, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — In French Equatorial Africa. It originated from the apostolic vicariate of French Congo, erected on 28 May 1886 with territory detached from that of the Two Guineas, from the apostolic prefecture of Lower or Portuguese Congo, and from the Northern Upper Congo Mission, the latter having been entrusted by Propaganda to the White Fathers on 27 Sept. 1880.
By a papal brief of 21 Dec. 1881, the erection of the apostolic vicariate of French Congo was confirmed; it comprised the entire territory of the Congo assigned to France. Later, the Brussels Convention (14 Apr. 1894) modified the boundaries of French Congo, and Propaganda recognized them also as the boundaries of the vicariate of the same name. On 14 Oct. 1890 it was divided into two: the apostolic vicariate of Upper French Congo or Oubangui, and the apostolic vicariate of Lower French Congo, which was given the name Loango on 22 Apr. 1907. By decree of 4 Sept. 1907, the northern boundaries were more precisely defined, and by another decree of 14 Feb. 1911 the eastern boundaries also, which were modified again on 11 Aug.
1929. It took the name P
N. on 20 Jan. 1949. It is entrusted to the Fathers of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.It has an area of approximately 100,000 sq. km and includes the regions of Konilou, Niari, and Pool, belonging to the territory of Middle Congo, and the regions of Nyanga, Ogoue-Maritime, and Ngounie, in the territory of Gabon. The soil is not very fertile. The climate is humid and hot, and generally unhealthy for Europeans. Communications, although continually developing, are still very sparse. Diseases are frequent. The inhabitants, almost all belonging to the Bantu group, number 294,103. Approximately 1,500 are pygmies, 5,600 are mestizos, and 3,000 are white. The Bantu are divided into about twenty tribes, which often speak distinct languages. The pagans are animists. There are 70,274 Catholics, 9,150 catechumens, 36,594 Protestants belonging to the Swedish Evangelical Mission and the Salvation Army, 782 Muslims, and 177,303 nonbelievers.
The vicariate is divided into 12 districts, with 34 missionaries, 8 indigenous priests, 12 brothers, 6 of them indigenous, and 14 sisters. Two indigenous religious congregations have been founded, one of sisters and one of brothers. There are 315 catechists, 295 secondary stations, 13 churches, 68 chapels, 12 dispensaries, 12 orphanages with 660 children, 60 elementary schools with 4,523 pupils, and 4 vocational schools with 100 students. Pious associations and those of Catholic Action are well developed. Twenty-one young men are studying in the minor seminary.