Apostolic Prefecture of Sokode

APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF SOKODE. - It is located in French Togo and was erected on 18 May 1937 with the northern territory of the apostolic vicariate of Togo, to which on 14 June 1938 the present name of Lomé (v.) was given.

The first religious exploration of the north took place through the work of German missionaries in 1898, but only in 1912 was the area assigned to the missionaries by a German imperial decree. The following year the first mission station was opened at Aledjo. During the First World War the German missionaries were deported, and only in 1927 were the French missionaries of the Society of African Missions able to return there to begin again the work of apostolate at Aledjo. In 1929 the station of Sokode was erected, and other stations followed. In 1939 the first nuns arrived. It has an area of 29,000 sq km, with a tropical climate and poorly fertile soil. Civilly it comprises the circles of S. and Mango. The inhabitants number about 500,000, divided into eleven principal races, subdivided into other minor ones. They are animists and believe in God, creator of all things, and in the life beyond the grave. Catholics number about 6,000. Missionaries 14, nuns 8, catechists 71, teachers 29. Primary stations 9, secondary 94, churches 5, chapels 70.

Saverio Paventi