Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Congo-Kinshasa

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Metropolitan Archdiocese Metr. Archdiocese

Name: Kinshasa / Kinshasan(us) (Latin)

Suffragan Sees: Boma, Idiofa, Inongo, Kenge, Kikwit, Kisantu, Matadi, Popokabaka

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1886.11.22: Established as Mission sui juris of Congo Belge (français) / Belgian Congo (English) / Independent (from Apostolic Vicariate of Deux Guinées and Apostolic Prefecture of Lower Congo)
1888.05.11: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Congo Belge (français) / Belgian Congo (English) / Independent
1892.04.18: Lost territory to establish Mission sui juris of Kwango
1898.05.12: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Uélé
1901.07.26: Lost territory to establish Mission sui juris of Kasaï Supérieur
1904.08.03: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Stanley Falls
1911.04.07: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Ubangui belge
1911.06.30: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Northern Katanga
1911.07.01: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Matadi
1919.04.03: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Léopoldville (français) / Leopoldopolitan(us) (Latin) (lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Nouvelle-Anvers)
1927.04.27: Exchanged territory with Apostolic Prefecture of Coquilhatville
1931.01.03: Lost territory to establish Mission sui juris of Bikoro
1934.02.26: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Boma
1950.05.24: Gained territory from Apostolic Vicariate of Coquilhatville, Apostolic Vicariate of Kisantu and Apostolic Vicariate of Kwango
1951.06.14: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Kole
1953.06.29: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Inongo
1959.11.10: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Léopoldville (français) / Leopoldopolitan(us) (Latin) (with suffragan sees Boma, Inongo, Ipamu, Kikwit, Kisantu and Matadi)
1961.06.24: Gained suffragan see Popokabaka
1963.07.06: Gained suffragan see Kenge
1966.05.30: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kinshasa / Kinshasan(us) (Latin)
1966.08.05: Gained suffragan sees Fort Portal, Hoima, Jinja and Kabale
1999.01.02: Lost suffragan sees Fort Portal, Hoima, Jinja and Kabale

Papal Visits

Pope John Paul II (1980.05, 1985.08)
Pope Francis (2023.02)

Present Prelates

Metropolitan Archbishop (2018.11.01 – ...):	Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (65) Cardinal-Priest of S. Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar Member of Council of Cardinals
Auxiliary Bishop (2020.06.29 – ...):	Bishop Charles Ndaka Salabisala (52) Titular Bishop of Liberalia
Auxiliary Bishop (2023.07.15 – ...):	Bishop Edouard Isango Nkoyo (51) Titular Bishop of Utimmira
Auxiliary Bishop (2023.07.15 – ...):	Bishop Edouard Tsimba Ngoma, C.I.C.M. (67) Titular Bishop of Igilgili

Ordinaries

Metropolitan Archbishops of Kinshasa (Roman Rite)

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (65)
(2018.11.01 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa
Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa)
President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar
Member of Council of Cardinals

Omnia omnibus

Born:	1960.01.24 (Boto, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1988.08.14
Consecrated Bishop:	2005.03.06
Created Cardinal:	2019.10.05

Bishop of Bokungu–Ikela (Congo-Kinshasa) (2004.11.22 – 2016.11.12)

Apostolic Administrator of Kole (Congo-Kinshasa) (2008.10.30 – 2015.05.06)

Apostolic Administrator of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (2016.03.05 – 2016.11.12)

Vice-President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (2016.06.24 – 2020.10.15)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (2016.11.12 – 2018.02.06)

Apostolic Administrator of Bokungu–Ikela (Congo-Kinshasa) (2016.11.12 – 2018.02.06)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (2018.02.06 – 2018.11.01)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (2018.11.01 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Gabriele Arcangelo all’Acqua Traversa (2019.10.05 [2022.12.03] – ...)

Member of Council of Cardinals (2020.10.15 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Kisantu (Congo-Kinshasa) (2020.11.23 – 2022.06.11)

First Vice-President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (2022.08.01 – 2023.02.15)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (2023.02.15 – ...)

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya
(2007.12.06 – 2018.11.01)

In fide veritatis

Born:	1939.10.07 (Mongobele, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1963.12.21
Consecrated Bishop:	1980.05.04
Created Cardinal:	2010.11.20
Died:	2021.07.11 (Le Port-Marly, France † 81)

Priest of Inongo (Congo-Kinshasa) (1963.12.21 – 1980.02.13)

Auxiliary Bishop of Inongo (Congo-Kinshasa) (1980.02.13 – 1981.04.07)

Titular Bishop of Aquæ novæ in Proconsulari (1980.02.13 – 1988.09.01)

Auxiliary Bishop of Kisangani (Congo-Kinshasa) (1981.04.07 – 1988.09.01)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (1984 – 1992)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kisangani (Congo-Kinshasa) (1988.09.01 – 2007.12.06)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (1997 – 2003)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (2004.07 – 2008)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (2007.12.06 – 2018.11.01)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria «Regina Pacis» in Ostia mare (2010.11.20 [2011.01.22] – 2021.07.11)

Member of Council of Cardinals to assist in the governance of the Universal Church and to reform the Roman Curia (2013.04.13 – 2018.10)

Cardinal Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M.
(1990.07.07 – 2007.01.06)

Un seul cœur, un seul esprit

Born:	1930.12.03 (Mazalaga, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1958.07.13
Consecrated Bishop:	1976.11.07
Created Cardinal:	1991.06.28
Died:	2007.01.06 (Louvain, Belgium † 76)

Titular Archbishop of Menefessi (1976.07.08 – 1977.11.11)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (1976.07.08 – 1977.11.11)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (1977.11.11 – 1990.07.07)

Apostolic Administrator of Mbandaka–Bikoro (Congo-Kinshasa) (1990.07.07 – 1991.10.11)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (1990.07.07 – 2007.01.06)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Lucia a Piazza d’Armi (1991.06.28 – 2007.01.06)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (2000 – 2004)

Cardinal Joseph Albert Malula
(1966.05.30 – 1989.06.14)

In caritate

Born:	1917.12.12 (Léopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa)
Ordained Priest:	1936.06.09
Consecrated Bishop:	1959.09.20
Created Cardinal:	1969.04.28
Died:	1989.06.14 (Louvain, Belgium † 71)

Priest of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1936.06.09 – 1959.07.18)

Titular Bishop of Attanasus (1959.07.18 – 1964.07.07)

Auxiliary Bishop of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1959.07.18 – 1964.07.07)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1964.07.07 – 1966.05.30)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo-Kinshasa) (1966.05.30 – 1989.06.14)

Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica (1969.04.30 – 1989.06.14)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (1984 – 1987)

Metropolitan Archbishops of Léopoldville (Roman Rite)

Archbishop Joseph Albert Malula (later Cardinal)
(1964.07.07 – 1966.05.30)

(see above)

Archbishop Félix Scalais, C.I.C.M.
(1959.11.10 – 1964.07.07)

Born:	1904.12.06 (Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1930.08.17
Consecrated Bishop:	1953.09.21
Died:	1967.08.17 († 62)

Titular Bishop of Casius (1953.06.29 – 1959.11.10)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1953.06.29 – 1959.11.10)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1959.11.10 – 1964.07.07)

President of National Episcopal Conference of Congo (1963 – 1964)

Titular Archbishop of Aquæ in Numidia (1964.07.07 – 1967.08.17)

Vicars Apostolic of Léopoldville (Roman Rite)

Bishop Félix Scalais, C.I.C.M. (later Archbishop)
(1953.06.29 – 1959.11.10)

(see above)

Bishop Hildon-Georges-Marie Six, C.I.C.M.
(1934.02.26 – 1952.11.24)

Born:	1887.10.20
Ordained Priest:	1913.07.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1934.05.14
Died:	1952.11.24 († 65)

Titular Bishop of Baliana (1934.02.26 – 1952.11.24)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1934.02.26 – 1952.11.24)

Bishop Natale de Cleene, C.I.M.
(1926.03.04 – 1932.07.20)

Born:	1870.02.15 (Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1892.12.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1925.02.24
Died:	1942.10.07 († 72)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1924.12.18 – 1926.03.04)

Titular Bishop of Usula (1924.12.18 – 1942.10.07)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1926.03.04 – 1932.07.20)

Bishop Camille Van Ronslé, C.I.C.M.
(1919.04.03 – 1926.03.04)

Born:	1862.09.18 (Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1886.12.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1897.02.24
Died:	1938.11.14 († 76)

Vicar Apostolic of Congo Belge (Congo-Kinshasa) (1896.06.05 – 1919.04.03)

Titular Bishop of Tymbrias (1896.06.05 – 1938.11.14)

Vicar Apostolic of Léopoldville (Congo-Kinshasa) (1919.04.03 – 1926.03.04)

Vicars Apostolic of Congo Belge (Roman Rite)

Bishop Camille Van Ronslé, C.I.C.M.
(1896.06.05 – 1919.04.03)

(see above)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Archbishop: Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap. (65) (later Cardinal) (2018.02.06 – 2018.11.01)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop Natale de Cleene, C.I.M. (1924.12.18 – 1926.03.04)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Jean-Crispin Kimbeni Ki Kanda (55) (2020.06.29 – 2022.06.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Vincent Tshomba Shamba Kotsho (62) (2020.06.29 – 2022.06.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Donatien Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana, S.J. (62) (2015.03.31 – 2018.03.31)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Jean-Pierre Kwambamba Masi (64) (2015.03.31 – 2018.03.31)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Timothée Bodika Mansiyai, P.S.S. (63) (2012.02.02 – 2016.11.19)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Sébastien Muyengo Mulombe (66) (2012.02.02 – 2013.10.15)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Édouard Kisonga Ndinga, S.S.S. (78) (1999.10.29 – 2022.01.30)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Dominique Bulamatari Kizayakana (1999.10.29 – 2009.11.14)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Daniel Nlandu Mayi (1999.10.29 – 2008.11.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Tharcisse Tshibangu Tshishiku (1970.09.01 – 1991.11.26)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Eugène Moke Motsüri (1970.09.01 – 1991.05.11)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Joseph Albert Malula (later Cardinal) (1959.07.18 – 1964.07.07)