UBANGI BELGA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF
Situated in the north-western tip of the Belgian Congo. It is entirely contained within the boundaries of the Equator Province and the Congo-Ubangi civil district, embracing the civil territories of Libenge, Gemena, Bosobolo and Banzvielle.
Erected as an apostolic prefecture on 7 April 1911, with territory detached from the then apostolic vicariate of the Belgian Congo, it was elevated to a vicariate on 28 January 1935. It is administered by the Capuchin Fathers of the Belgian province and some Fathers from the Italian province of Alessandria.
The work of evangelization began in the region of Banzvielle on 1 December 1910 with the founding of the first mission station. Over an area of approximately 79,000 sq. km., there are 500,000 inhabitants, of whom 104,334 are Catholics, 3,146 Protestants, 162 Muslims, and the rest pagan fetishists. The vicariate comprises: 14 main mission stations and 7 secondary ones, 1 native priest and 52 foreign priests (all Capuchins), 2 native sisters and 31 foreign sisters, 678 catechists, 501 teachers, and 362 schools, including elementary, vocational and normal schools. Social and health assistance is provided through 9 hospitals, 6 leper asylums and 8 orphanages. It owns 2 printing presses with a monthly periodical, *Fana lo*, printed in 2,000 copies. Catholic Action operates in every main mission station. The average annual conversion rate since 1910 may be estimated at approximately 3,000 persons.