Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Congo-Kinshasa

Present Prelates

Metropolitan Archbishop (2018.11.01 – ...):

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (63)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar

Member of Council of Cardinals to assist in the governance of the Universal Church and to reform the Roman Curia

Auxiliary Bishop (2020.06.29 – ...):

Bishop Charles Ndaka Salabisala (50)

Titular Bishop of Liberalia

Ordinaries

Metropolitan Archbishops of Kinshasa (Roman Rite)

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (63)
(2018.11.01 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa
Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa)
President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar
Member of Council of Cardinals to assist in the governance of the Universal Church and to reform the Roman Curia

Omnia omnibus

Born:	1960.01.24 (Boto, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1988.08.14
Consecrated Bishop:	2005.03.06
Created Cardinal:	2019.10.05

Bishop of Bokungu–Ikela (Congo-Kinshasa) (2004.11.22 – 2016.11.12)

Apostolic Administrator of Kole (Congo-Kinshasa) (2008.10.30 – 2015.05.06)

Apostolic Administrator of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (2016.03.05 – 2016.11.12)

Vice-President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (2016.06.24 – 2020.10.15)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (2016.11.12 – 2018.02.06)

Apostolic Administrator of Bokungu–Ikela (Congo-Kinshasa) (2016.11.12 – 2018.02.06)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (2018.02.06 – 2018.11.01)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (2018.11.01 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa (2019.10.05 [2022.12.03] – ...)

Member of Council of Cardinals to assist in the governance of the Universal Church and to reform the Roman Curia (2020.10.15 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Kisantu (Congo-Kinshasa) (2020.11.23 – 2022.06.11)

First Vice-President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (2022.08.01 – 2023.02.15)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (2023.02.15 – ...)

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya
(2007.12.06 – 2018.11.01)

In fide veritatis

Born:	1939.10.07 (Mongobele, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1963.12.21
Consecrated Bishop:	1980.05.04
Created Cardinal:	2010.11.20
Died:	2021.07.11 (Le Port-Marly, France † 81)

Auxiliary Bishop of Inongo (Congo-Kinshasa) (1980.02.13 – 1981.04.07)

Titular Bishop of Aquæ novæ in Proconsulari (1980.02.13 – 1988.09.01)

Auxiliary Bishop of Kisangani (Congo-Kinshasa) (1981.04.07 – 1988.09.01)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (1984 – 1992)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kisangani (Congo-Kinshasa) (1988.09.01 – 2007.12.06)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (1997 – 2003)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (2004.07 – 2008)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (2007.12.06 – 2018.11.01)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria «Regina Pacis» in Ostia mare (2010.11.20 [2011.01.22] – 2021.07.11)

Member of Council of Cardinals to assist in the governance of the Universal Church and to reform the Roman Curia (2013.04.13 – 2018.10)

Cardinal Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M.
(1990.07.07 – 2007.01.06)

Un seul cœur, un seul esprit

Born:	1930.12.03 (Mazalaga, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1958.07.13
Consecrated Bishop:	1976.11.07
Created Cardinal:	1991.06.28
Died:	2007.01.06 (Louvain, Belgium † 76)

Titular Archbishop of Menefessi (1976.07.08 – 1977.11.11)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (1976.07.08 – 1977.11.11)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (1977.11.11 – 1990.07.07)

Apostolic Administrator of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (1990.07.07 – 1991.10.11)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (1990.07.07 – 2007.01.06)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Lucia a Piazza d’Armi (1991.06.28 – 2007.01.06)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (2000 – 2004)

Cardinal Joseph Albert Malula
(1966.05.30 – 1989.06.14)

In caritate

Born:	1917.12.12 (Léopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1936.06.09
Consecrated Bishop:	1959.09.20
Created Cardinal:	1969.04.28
Died:	1989.06.14 (Louvain, Belgium † 71)

Titular Bishop of Attanasus (1959.07.18 – 1964.07.07)

Auxiliary Bishop of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1959.07.18 – 1964.07.07)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1964.07.07 – 1966.05.30)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (1966.05.30 – 1989.06.14)

Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica (1969.04.30 – 1989.06.14)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (1984 – 1987)

Metropolitan Archbishops of Léopoldville (Roman Rite)

Archbishop Joseph Albert Malula (later Cardinal)
(1964.07.07 – 1966.05.30)

(see above)

Archbishop Félix Scalais, C.I.C.M.
(1959.11.10 – 1964.07.07)

Born:	1904.12.06 (Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1930.08.17
Consecrated Bishop:	1953.09.21
Died:	1967.08.17 († 62)

Titular Bishop of Casius (1953.06.29 – 1959.11.10)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1953.06.29 – 1959.11.10)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1959.11.10 – 1964.07.07)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (1963 – 1964)

Titular Archbishop of Aquæ in Numidia (1964.07.07 – 1967.08.17)

Vicars Apostolic of Léopoldville (Roman Rite)

Bishop Félix Scalais, C.I.C.M. (later Archbishop)
(1953.06.29 – 1959.11.10)

(see above)

Bishop Giorgio Six, C.I.C.M.
(1934.02.26 – 1952.11.24)

Born:	1887.10.20
Ordained Priest:	1913.07.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1934.05.14
Died:	1952.11.24 († 65)

Titular Bishop of Baliana (1934.02.26 – 1952.11.24)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1934.02.26 – 1952.11.24)

Bishop Natale de Cleene, C.I.M.
(1926.03.04 – 1932.07.20)

Born:	1870.02.15 (Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1892.12.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1925.02.24
Died:	1942.10.07 († 72)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1924.12.18 – 1926.03.04)

Titular Bishop of Usula (1924.12.18 – 1942.10.07)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1926.03.04 – 1932.07.20)

Bishop Camille Van Ronslé, C.I.C.M.
(1919.04.03 – 1926.03.04)

Born:	1862.09.18 (Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1886.12.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1897.02.24
Died:	1938.11.14 († 76)

Vicar Apostolic of Congo Belge (Congo-Kinshasa) (1896.06.05 – 1919.04.03)

Titular Bishop of Tymbrias (1896.06.05 – 1938.11.14)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1919.04.03 – 1926.03.04)

Vicars Apostolic of Congo Belge (Roman Rite)

Bishop Camille Van Ronslé, C.I.C.M.
(1896.06.05 – 1919.04.03)

(see above)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Archbishop: Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (63) (later Cardinal) (2018.02.06 – 2018.11.01)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Natale de Cleene, C.I.M. (1924.12.18 – 1926.03.04)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Jean-Crispin Kimbeni Ki Kanda (53) (2020.06.29 – 2022.06.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Vincent Tshomba Shamba Kotsho (60) (2020.06.29 – 2022.06.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Donatien Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana, S.J. (60) (2015.03.31 – 2018.03.31)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Jean-Pierre Kwambamba Masi (62) (2015.03.31 – 2018.03.31)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Timothée Bodika Mansiyai, P.S.S. (61) (2012.02.02 – 2016.11.19)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Sébastien Muyengo Mulombe (65) (2012.02.02 – 2013.10.15)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Édouard Kisonga Ndinga, S.S.S. (77) (1999.10.29 – 2022.01.30)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Dominique Bulamatari (68) (1999.10.29 – 2009.11.14)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Daniel Nlandu Mayi (1999.10.29 – 2008.11.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu Tshishiku (1970.09.01 – 1991.11.26)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Eugène Moke Motsüri (1970.09.01 – 1991.05.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Joseph Albert Malula (later Cardinal) (1959.07.18 – 1964.07.07)

Tweets

Contact Info

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Statistics

Area: 8,500 km²

Population: 7,253,356 Catholics (59.2% of 12,256,830 total) (2020)

Statistics: 160 parishes, 94 missions, 682 priests (269 diocesan, 413 religious), 1,707 lay religious (1,164 brothers, 543 sisters), 140 seminarians (2020)

History

1886.11.22: Established as Mission sui juris of Congo Belge (français) / Belgian Congo (English) / Independent (from Apostolic Vicariate of Deux Guinées and Apostolic Prefecture of Lower Congo)
1888.05.11: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Congo Belge (français) / Belgian Congo (English) / Independent
1892.04.18: Lost territory to establish Mission sui juris of Kwango
1898.05.12: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Uélé
1901.07.26: Lost territory to establish Mission sui juris of Kasaï Supérieur
1904.08.03: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Stanley Falls
1911.04.07: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Ubangui belge
1911.06.30: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Northern Katanga
1911.07.01: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Matadi
1919.04.03: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Léopoldville (français) / Leopoldopolitan(us) (Latin) (lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Nouvelle-Anvers)
1927.04.27: Exchanged territory with Apostolic Prefecture of Coquilhatville
1931.01.03: Lost territory to establish Mission sui juris of Bikoro
1934.02.26: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Boma
1950.05.24: Gained territory from Apostolic Vicariate of Coquilhatville, Apostolic Vicariate of Kisantu and Apostolic Vicariate of Kwango
1951.06.14: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Kole
1953.06.29: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Inongo
1959.11.10: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Léopoldville (français) / Leopoldopolitan(us) (Latin) (with suffragan sees Boma, Inongo, Ipamu, Kikwit, Kisantu and Matadi)
1961.06.24: Gained suffragan see Popokabaka
1963.07.06: Gained suffragan see Kenge
1966.05.30: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kinshasa / Kinshasan(us) (Latin)
1966.08.05: Gained suffragan sees Fort Portal, Hoima, Jinja and Kabale
1999.01.02: Lost suffragan sees Fort Portal, Hoima, Jinja and Kabale

Papal Visits

Pope John Paul II (1980.05, 1985.08)
Pope Francis (2023.02)