Diocese of

Kabinda

Congo-Kinshasa

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Kabinda / Kabindaën(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Kananga

Neighbouring Dioceses: Mbujimayi (←), Kananga (↖), Tshumbe (↑), Kindu (↗), Kongolo (→), Kamina (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1953.03.24: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Kabinda / Kabindaën(sis) (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Luluabourg)
1959.11.10: Promoted as Diocese of Kabinda / Kabindaën(sis) (Latin) (became suffragan of Luluabourg)
1963.11.22: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Administration of Mbuji-Mayi
1966.03.10: Gained territory from Diocese of Kongolo and lost territory to Diocese of Kamina
1974.01.12: Lost territory to Diocese of Kamina

Present Prelates

Bishop (2026.07.29 – ...):

Bishop-elect Eustache Ntamwe Makoyo (52)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Kabinda (Roman Rite)

Bishop-elect Eustache Ntamwe Makoyo (52)
(2026.07.29 – ...)

Bishop of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa)

Born:	1974.02.14 (Musoshi, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	2005.08.28

Priest of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (2005.08.28 – 2026.07.29)

Bishop of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (2026.07.29 – ...)

Archbishop Félicien Ntambue Kasembe, C.I.C.M. (55)
(Apostolic Administrator 2024.03.19 – 2026.07.29)

Bishop Félicien Ntambue Kasembe, C.I.C.M. (55) (later Archbishop)
(2020.07.23 – 2024.03.19)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kananga (Congo-Kinshasa)

Cor unum et anima una

Born:	1970.09.08 (Kabinda, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	2001.08.12
Consecrated Bishop:	2020.09.27

Bishop of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (2020.07.23 – 2024.03.19)

Apostolic Administrator of Kananga (Congo-Kinshasa) (2022.12.21 – 2024.03.19)

Apostolic Administrator of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (2024.03.19 – 2026.07.29)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kananga (Congo-Kinshasa) (2024.03.19 – ...)

Bishop Valentin Masengo Nkinda
(1995.11.02 – 2018.10.26)

Born:	1940.12.10 (Kahako, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1969.07.15
Consecrated Bishop:	1996.02.18
Died:	2018.10.26 (Lutembo, Congo-Kinshasa † 77)

Priest of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (1969.07.15 – 1995.11.02)

Bishop of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (1995.11.02 – 2018.10.26)

Bishop Matthieu Kanyama
(1968.12.16 – 1995.11.02)

Born:	1917.10.12 (Musangye, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1946.05.05
Consecrated Bishop:	1969.01.06
Died:	2005.10.01 († 87)

Priest of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (1946.05.05 – 1968.12.16)

Bishop of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (1968.12.16 – 1995.11.02)

Bishop Georges Kettel, C.I.C.M.
(1959.11.10 – 1968.12.16)

Born:	1897.05.19 (Graide, Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1921.12.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1953.06.04
Died:	1972.07.16 (Messaney, Luxembourg † 75)

Titular Bishop of Thabraca (1953.03.24 – 1959.11.10)

Vicar Apostolic of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (1953.03.24 – 1959.11.10)

Bishop of Kabinda (Congo-Kinshasa) (1959.11.10 – 1968.12.16)

Titular Bishop of Caorle (1968.12.19 – 1972.07.16)

Vicars Apostolic of Kabinda (Roman Rite)

Bishop Georges Kettel, C.I.C.M.
(1953.03.24 – 1959.11.10)

(see above)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathédrale Saint-Martin, Kabinda, Lomami

Mbujimayi (←), Kananga (↖), Tshumbe (↑), Kindu (↗), Kongolo (→), Kamina (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 58,625 km²

Population: 738,045 Catholics (51.3% of 1,437,366 total)

Pastoral Centres: 32 parishes

Personnel: 72 priests (68 diocesan, 4 religious), 171 religious (17 brothers, 154 sisters), 62 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2026.08.08

© 2026 GCatholic.org