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Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbandaka-Bikoro

Coordinates: 0°03′36″N 18°15′22″E / 0.0600°N 18.2562°E / 0.0600; 18.2562
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbandaka-Bikoro (Latin: Mbandakan(us)–Bikoroën(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the Latin Rite Ecclesiastical province of Mbandaka-Bikoro, in the western part of Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is under the authority of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The cathedral archiepiscopal see is at the Cathedral of St. Eugene, in Mbandaka, Équateur Province.

Statistics

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As per 2015, it pastorally served 646,000 Catholics (52.4% of 1,232,000 total population) on 95,000 km² in 34 parishes with 87 priests (56 diocesan, 31 religious), 238 lay religious (82 brothers, 156 sisters) and 42 seminarians.

History

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  • Established on 11 February 1924 as Apostolic Prefecture of Tsuapa, on colonial territory split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Nouvelle-Anvers
  • 28 January 1926: Renamed after its see as Apostolic Prefecture of Coquilhatstad=Coquilhatville, having gained more territory from the above Apostolic Vicariate of Nouvelle-Anvers
  • 3 January 1931: Lost territory to establish the Mission sui juris of Bikoro (later a diocese, now merged-in with its title)
  • Promoted on 22 March 1932 as Apostolic Vicariate of Coquilhatville
  • 14 June 1951: Lost territory to establish the Apostolic Prefecture of Isangi (now a diocese in Kisangani province)
  • Promoted on 10 November 1959 as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Coquilhatville
  • 11 September 1961: Lost territory to establish the Diocese of Ikela (now its suffragan as Diocese of Bokungu–Ikela)
  • 30 May 1966: Renamed with its see as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mbandaka
  • 12 April 1975: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mbandaka–Bikoro, having gained territory from the suppressed Diocese of Bikoro whose title was merged in

Ecclesiastical Province

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Its suffragan sees are :

Bishops

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Ordinaries

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Apostolic Prefect of Coquilhatville
Apostolic Vicars of Coquilhatville
  • Edoardo van Goethem, M.S.C. (see above 22 March 1932 – retired 1946), Titular Bishop of Corone (29 November 1932 – death 26 May 1949)
  • Hilaire Marie Vermeiren, M.S.C. (born Belgium) (10 April 1947 – 10 November 1959 see below), Titular Bishop of Gibba (10 April 1947 – 10 November 1959)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Coquilhatville
Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka
  • Pierre Wijnants, M.S.C. (see above 30 May 1966 – 12 April 1975 see below)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Mbandaka-Bikoro

Coadjutor bishop

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 23.11.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
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0°03′36″N 18°15′22″E / 0.0600°N 18.2562°E / 0.0600; 18.2562