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