Diocese of Bikoro

Historical Details

• Diocese of Bikoro
  • Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
  • Elevated: 10 November 1959
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Mbandaka
  • Rite: Latin (or Roman)
  • Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
  • Square Kilometers: 60,000 (23,175 Square Miles)

• Mission "Sui Iuris" of Bikoro
  • Latin Name: Bikoroensis
  • Erected: 3 January 1931
  • Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

• Prefecture Apostolic of Bikoro
  • Latin Name: Bikoroensis
  • Elevated: 25 June 1940
  • Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

• Vicariate Apostolic of Bikoro
  • Latin Name: Bikoroensis
  • Elevated: 28 June 1957
  • Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

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Past Ordinaries

• Leone Sieben, C.M. † (27 Jun 1931 Appointed - 1932 Died)
• Felice de Kempeneer, C.M. † ( 1933 Appointed - 1938 Died)
• André Windels, C.M. † ( 1939 Appointed - 1946 Died)
• Camille Jean-Baptiste Vandekerckhove, C.M. † (21 Jun 1946 Appointed - 27 Feb 1975 Died)

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Mission "Sui Iuris" of Bikoro
3 January 1931	Erected		Mission "Sui Iuris" of Bikoro (erected)
Prefecture Apostolic of Bikoro
25 June 1940	Elevated	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Bikoro	Prefecture Apostolic of Bikoro
Vicariate Apostolic of Bikoro
28 June 1957	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Bikoro	Vicariate Apostolic of Bikoro
Diocese of Bikoro
10 November 1959	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Bikoro	Diocese of Bikoro
12 April 1975	United	Diocese of Bikoro Archdiocese of Mbandaka	Archdiocese of Mbandaka-Bikoro

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Bikoro
1950	13,344	82,198	16.2%		14	14	953		20	16	7	ap1951
Vicariate Apostolic of Bikoro
Diocese of Bikoro
1959	21,371	106,745	20.0%		23	23	929		36	24	8	ap1960
1969	26,450	116,250	22.8%	1	26	27	979		31	29	11	ap1971

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• None

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Felice de Kempeneer, C.M. † (Superior: 1933 to 1938)
• Leone Sieben, C.M. † (Superior: 27 Jun 1931 to 1932)
• Camille Jean-Baptiste Vandekerckhove, C.M. † (Prefect: 21 Jun 1946; Vicar Apostolic: 24 Dec 1957; Bishop: 10 Nov 1959 to 27 Feb 1975)
• André Windels, C.M. † (Superior: 1939; Prefect: 28 Feb 1941 to 1946)