The territory was detached from the latter vicariate and erected into the Apostolic Prefecture of Cameroon on March 18, 1890; on January 2, 1905 it was elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate and on April 3, 1931 it received the name of Y. From it were detached on April 28, 1914 a part of the Apostolic Prefecture of Adamua, called on June 11, 1923 Foumban (see); on March 31, 1931 the Apostolic Prefecture of Douala, now an Apostolic Vicariate, and on March 3, 1949 the Apostolic Vicariate of Doumé. It is entrusted to the Congr. of the Holy Spirit.
It has an area of about 75,000 sq. km. with a hot and humid climate. The inhabitants are about 510,000 of Bantu race and engaged in agriculture. There are 244,226 Catholics, 27,836 catechumens, 24,329 Protestants, 15,810 Muslims, and 198,000 pagans. There are 116 missionaries, of whom 36 are indigenous; 36 lay brothers, and 117 sisters. There is a major and minor seminary. There are 41 primary stations, 191 secondary stations, and an equal number of churches and chapels. Elementary schools number 337, secondary schools 337, higher schools 2, and professional schools 19. Works of charity and Catholic Action are well developed.