Diocese of Bokungu-Ikela

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Bishop(s) Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Name Changed: 16 June 1967 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Mbandaka-Bikoro Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of Square Kilometers: 42,000 (16,222 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Mission Catholique, Bokungu, par Boende, Equateru, Rep. Democratique du Congo Telephone: (081)189.708

Historical Details

• Diocese of Ikela
  • Latin Name: Ikelaensis
  • Erected: 11 September 1961
  • Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Joseph Weigl, M.S.C. † (11 Sep 1961 Appointed - 18 Mar 1982 Resigned)
• Joseph Kumuondala Mbimba (18 Mar 1982 Appointed - 11 Oct 1991 Appointed, Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro)
• Joseph Mokobe Ndjoku (6 Dec 1993 Appointed - 9 Nov 2001 Appointed, Bishop of Basankusu)
• Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (22 Nov 2004 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Diocese of Ikela
11 September 1961	Erected	Archdiocese of Coquilhatville	Diocese of Ikela (erected)
Diocese of Bokungu-Ikela
16 June 1967	Name Changed	Diocese of Ikela	Diocese of Bokungu-Ikela

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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
Diocese of Bokungu-Ikela
1970	23,200	230,000	10.1%	21	19	40	580		22	25	8	ap1971
1980	38,130	207,630	18.4%	1	17	18	2,118		22	29	15	ap1981
1990	41,493	284,000	14.6%	8	14	22	1,886		23	34	14	ap1991
1997	87,428	506,312	17.3%	18	9	27	3,238		16	34	14	ap2001
2001	91,000	510,312	17.8%	19	4	23	3,956		9		14	ap2002
2002	91,430	511,432	17.9%	16	3	19	4,812		7	18	14	ap2003
2003	44,300	520,450	8.5%	16	3	19	2,331		8	21	14	ap2004
2004	47,300	528,480	9.0%	16	3	19	2,489		8	22	13	ap2005
2006	49,351	617,000	8.0%	16	4	20	2,467		8	26	14	ap2007

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (Bishop: 22 Nov 2004 - )
• Joseph Kumuondala Mbimba (Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Nov 1980; Bishop: 18 Mar 1982 to 11 Oct 1991)
• Joseph Mokobe Ndjoku (Bishop: 6 Dec 1993 to 9 Nov 2001)
• Joseph Weigl, M.S.C. † (Bishop: 11 Sep 1961 to 18 Mar 1982)