Diocese of Owando

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Bishop(s) Ernest Kombo, S.J., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Name Changed: 3 December 1977 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Brazzaville Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Congo Square Kilometers: 113,250 (43,742 Square Miles) Mailing Address: B.P. 6, Owando, Rep. du Congo Telephone: 81-05-49

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Fort-Rousset
  • Latin Name: Arcis Rousset
  • Erected: 21 December 1950
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Congo

• Diocese of Fort-Rousset
  • Latin Name: Arcis Rousset
  • Elevated: 14 September 1955
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Brazzaville
  • Country: Congo

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Emile-Elie Verhille, C.S.Sp. † (21 Jun 1951 Appointed - 2 Mar 1968 Resigned)
• Georges-Firmin Singha † (23 May 1972 Appointed - 1 Sep 1988 Appointed, Bishop of Pointe-Noire)
• Ernest Kombo, S.J. (7 Jul 1990 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Fort-Rousset
21 December 1950	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Brazzaville	Vicariate Apostolic of Fort-Rousset (erected)
Diocese of Fort-Rousset
14 September 1955	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Fort-Rousset	Diocese of Fort-Rousset
Diocese of Owando
3 December 1977	Name Changed	Diocese of Fort-Rousset	Diocese of Owando
6 June 1983	Territory Lost	Diocese of Owando	Diocese of Ouesso (erected)

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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 Fort-Rousset
1970	71,764	290,278	24.7%	10	21	31	2,314		25		18	ap1971
Diocese of Owando
1980	77,067	271,000	28.4%	9	17	26	2,964		22	38	14	ap1981
1987	71,457	246,127	29.0%	14	9	23	3,106		11	32	14	ap1991
1999	230,700	525,000	43.9%	19	7	26	8,873		20	40	23	ap2000
2000	250,600	525,000	47.7%	21	9	30	8,353		24	38	24	ap2001
2001	135,000	243,946	55.3%	42	9	51	2,647		19	37	19	ap2002
2002	250,600	525,000	47.7%	23	9	32	7,831		16	38	24	ap2003
2003	320,750	525,000	61.1%	26	9	35	9,164		16	44	24	ap2004
2004	250,756	525,000	47.8%	32	6	38	6,598	1	13	36	24	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Georges Benoit Gassongo † (Auxiliary Bishop: 6 Jul 1965; Apostolic Administrator: 2 Mar 1968 to 27 Feb 1970)
• Ernest Kombo, S.J. (Bishop: 7 Jul 1990)
• Georges-Firmin Singha † (Priest: 7 Oct 1956; Bishop: 23 May 1972 to 1 Sep 1988)
• Emile-Elie Verhille, C.S.Sp. † (Vicar Apostolic: 21 Jun 1951; Bishop: 14 Sep 1955 to 2 Mar 1968)