Diocese of Kole

Dioecesis Kolensis

Bishop(s)

Vacant
Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap., Apostolic Administrator
Stanislas Lukumwena Lumbala, O.F.M., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 14 September 1967
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Kananga
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of
Square Kilometers: 66,000 (25,492 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Eveche de Kole, B.P. 1800, Kinshasa, Rep. Democratique du Congo

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Kole
- Latin Name: Kolensis
- Erected: 14 June 1951
- Country: Congo, The Democratic Republic of

Past and Present Ordinaries

Victor Van Beurden, SS.CC. † (22 Jun 1951 Appointed - 28 Jan 1980 Resigned)
Louis Nkinga Bondala, C.I.C.M. (28 Jan 1980 Appointed - 13 Mar 1996 Appointed, Coadjutor Bishop of Lisala)
Stanislas Lukumwena Lumbala, O.F.M. (14 Feb 1998 Appointed - 30 Oct 2008 Resigned)

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Kole
14 June 1951	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Léopoldville	Prefecture Apostolic of Kole (erected)
Diocese of Kole
14 September 1967	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Kole	Diocese of Kole

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 Kole

1970 21,242 125,000 17.0% 18 18 1,180 23 ap1971

1980 40,000 140,000 28.6% 1 8 9 4,444 10 7 8 ap1981

1990 40,000 172,000 23.3% 14 12 26 1,538 15 55 10 ap1991

1997 61,000 274,121 22.3% 13 9 22 2,772 18 50 10 ap2001

2001 60,000 270,000 22.2% 26 9 35 1,714 15 38 10 ap2002

2002 59,000 280,000 21.1% 24 1 25 2,360 5 42 11 ap2004

2006 59,000 280,000 21.1% 32 1 33 1,787 5 42 11 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Kole
1970	21,242	125,000	17.0%		18	18	1,180	23			ap1971
1980	40,000	140,000	28.6%	1	8	9	4,444	10	7	8	ap1981
1990	40,000	172,000	23.3%	14	12	26	1,538	15	55	10	ap1991
1997	61,000	274,121	22.3%	13	9	22	2,772	18	50	10	ap2001
2001	60,000	270,000	22.2%	26	9	35	1,714	15	38	10	ap2002
2002	59,000	280,000	21.1%	24	1	25	2,360	5	42	11	ap2004
2006	59,000	280,000	21.1%	32	1	33	1,787	5	42	11	ap2007

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (Apostolic Administrator: 30 Oct 2008)
Stanislas Lukumwena Lumbala, O.F.M. (Bishop: 14 Feb 1998 to 30 Oct 2008)
Louis Nkinga Bondala, C.I.C.M. (Bishop: 28 Jan 1980 to 13 Mar 1996)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Victor Van Beurden, SS.CC. † (Prefect: 22 Jun 1951; Bishop: 14 Sep 1967 to 28 Jan 1980)