Roman Catholic Diocese of Lisala explained
| Jurisdiction: | Diocese |
| Lisala |
| Latin: | Dioecesis Lisalaensis |
| Country: | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Metropolitan: | Mbandaka-Bikoro |
| Rite: | Latin Rite |
| Area Km2: | 70,000 |
| Population: | 1,400,000 |
| Population As Of: | 2004 |
| Catholics: | 767,232 |
| Catholics Percent: | 54.8 |
| Bishop: | Joseph-Bernard Likolo Bokal’Etumba |
| Emeritus Bishops: | Louis Nkinga Bondala, C.I.C.M. |
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lisala (Latin: Lisalaën(sis)) is a Latin Catholic diocese in the ecclesiastical province of Mbandaka-Bikoro in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, named after its see, located in the city of Lisala.
History
- Established on 3 April 1919, as Apostolic Vicariate (missionary, exempt pre-diocesan jurisdiction) of Nouvelle-Anvers, on territory split off from the then-Apostolic Vicariate of Léopoldville
- Repeatedly lost territory, to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Tsuapa (11 February 1924), Apostolic Prefecture of Coquilhatville (28 January 1926) and Apostolic Prefecture of Basankusu (28 July 1926).
- 27 January 1936: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Lisala
- Lost territory on 14 June 1951 to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Isangi
- 10 November 1959: Promoted as Diocese of Lisala, becoming a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro
- Lost territory on 25 November 1964 to establish Roman Catholic Diocese of Budjala
Bishops
Episcopal ordinaries
Nearly all (originally missionary) members of Latin Rite congregation Scheutists (C.I.C.M.)
- Vicars Apostolic of Nouvelle-Anvers (Latin Rite)
- Vicars Apostolic of Lisala
- Bishop Egidio de Böck, C.I.C.M. (27 January 1936 – 20 December 1944)
- Bishop François van den Berghe, C.I.C.M., Titular Bishop of Boseta (20 December 1944 – 10 November 1959), previously coadjutor vicar apostolic (9 February 1943 – 20 December 1944)
- Bishops of Lisala
- François van den Berghe, C.I.C.M. (see above 10 November 1959 – 25 November 1964)
- Louis Nganga a Ndzando (25 November 1964 – 6 July 1997), previously Auxiliary bishop (18 April 1961 – 25 November 1964); also Apostolic Administrator of Molegbe (1967 – 5 September 1968)
- Louis Nkinga Bondala, C.I.C.M. (6 July 1997 – 11 February 2015), previously coadjutor bishop (13 March 1996 – 6 July 1997); also Apostolic Administrator of Molegbe (23 May 2007 – 14 November 2009)
- Ernest Ngboko Ngombe, C.I.C.M. (11 February 2015 – 23 November 2019), Appointed Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro
- Joseph-Bernard Likolo Bokal’Etumba (15 February 2021 – present)
Coadjutor bishops
- François Van den Berghe, C.I.C.M. (1943-1944), as Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic
- Louis Nkinga Bondala, C.I.C.M. (1996-1997)
See also
Source and External links
