Prefecture Apostolic of Upper Kassai
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Prefecture Apostolic of Upper Kassai was a mission territory in Central Africa
. It was erected as a simple mission in 1901, and detached, as a prefecture Apostolic, from the Vicariate of Belgian Congo, on 20 August 1901.
The residence of the prefect Apostolic was the mission of St. Joseph de Luluabourg, situated a few miles to the south of the station of the Belgian colony of Luluabourg (now Kananga
), in the district of Lualaba-Kassai, the chief town of which was Lusambo
, residence of the district commissioner. The prefecture, at the time of its creation, comprised almost all the Lualaba-Kassai district. It was bounded on the north by the Vicariate of Belgian Congo (district of the Equateur); on the east by the same vicariate (territory of the Katanga Company); on the south by Portuguese Congo; on the west by the Lubue River. In 1908 it was enlarged by taking as its boundaries on the east the left bank of the Lualaba River
, and on the west the Prefecture Apostolic of Kwango
, which was in the charge of the Jesuits.
The local languages were those of the Bena Lulua, the Baluba (Tshiluba language
), Bena Kanioka, the Batetela, the Bakuba, the Bakete, and the Balunda
. Just one religious order of men was engaged in evangelization there, the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scheut (Brussels
), and a single religious order of women, the Sisters of Charity
of Ghent
.
After 15 November 1891, when Père Cambier arrived alone at Luluabourg to commence the evangelization of these regions, eleven residences were established. In order of their foundation, they were:
Besides these larger residences, tended by at least three priests or two priests and a lay brother, fermes-chapelles (or Christian villages) were established in the prefecture.
The first Prefect Apostolic of Upper Kassai was Emeri Cambier, born at Flobecq
in the Belgian
province of Hainaut, 2 January 1865. He was ordained priest 20 November 1887, arrived in the Congo in 1888, at Luluabourg in 1891, and in 1904 was placed at the head of the newly created prefecture Apostolic. The King of Belgium named him an officer of the Royal Order of the Lion in recognition of his services. He died on 29 September 1943, at Namur
.
Central Africa
Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
. It was erected as a simple mission in 1901, and detached, as a prefecture Apostolic, from the Vicariate of Belgian Congo, on 20 August 1901.
The residence of the prefect Apostolic was the mission of St. Joseph de Luluabourg, situated a few miles to the south of the station of the Belgian colony of Luluabourg (now Kananga
Kananga
Kananga, formerly known as Luluabourg or Luluaburg, is the capital of Lulua District in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has a population of 1,130,100 ....
), in the district of Lualaba-Kassai, the chief town of which was Lusambo
Lusambo
Lusambo is a town and territory in Sankuru District, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The town lies north of the confluence of the Sankuru River and the Lubi River. Lusambo is served by Lusambo Airport. In 1999 there were claims that U.S. mercenaries were operating rebel artillery and...
, residence of the district commissioner. The prefecture, at the time of its creation, comprised almost all the Lualaba-Kassai district. It was bounded on the north by the Vicariate of Belgian Congo (district of the Equateur); on the east by the same vicariate (territory of the Katanga Company); on the south by Portuguese Congo; on the west by the Lubue River. In 1908 it was enlarged by taking as its boundaries on the east the left bank of the Lualaba River
Lualaba River
The Lualaba River is the greatest headstream of the Congo River by volume of water. However, by length the Chambeshi River is the farthest headstream. The Lualaba is 1800 km long, running from near Musofi in the vicinity of Lubumbashi in Katanga Province. The whole of its length lies within the...
, and on the west the Prefecture Apostolic of Kwango
Prefecture Apostolic of Kwango
The Roman Catholic Prefecture Apostolic of Kwango was a mission territory in Central Africa set up at the end of the nineteenth century.The Kwango River flows into the Kassai River, which itself is a tributary of the River Congo...
, which was in the charge of the Jesuits.
The local languages were those of the Bena Lulua, the Baluba (Tshiluba language
Tshiluba language
Luba-Kasai is a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is a national language, along with Lingala, Swahili, and Kikongo. It is one of two major Congolese languages called "Luba"...
), Bena Kanioka, the Batetela, the Bakuba, the Bakete, and the Balunda
BaLunda
The Lunda originated in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo along the Kalanyi River and formed the Kingdom of Lunda in the 17th century under their ruler, Mwata Yamvo or Mwaant Yav, with their capital at Musumba...
. Just one religious order of men was engaged in evangelization there, the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scheut (Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
), and a single religious order of women, the Sisters of Charity
Sisters of Charity
Many religious communities have the term Sisters of Charity as part of their name. The rule of Saint Vincent for the Daughters of Charity has been adopted and adapted by at least sixty founders of religious orders around the world in the subsequent centuries....
of Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
.
After 15 November 1891, when Père Cambier arrived alone at Luluabourg to commence the evangelization of these regions, eleven residences were established. In order of their foundation, they were:
- (1) St-Joseph de Luluabourg;
- (2) Mérode Salvator (Kala Kafumba);
- (3) St-Trudon de Lusambo;
- (4) Hemptinne St-Bénoit;
- (5) Tielen St-Jacques;
- (6) Bena Makima St-Victorien;
- (7) St-Antoine de Lusambo;
- (8) Lusambo;
- (9) Udemba;
- (10) Pangu-hopital;
- (11) Liège-Sacrés-Coeurs at Katanga.
Besides these larger residences, tended by at least three priests or two priests and a lay brother, fermes-chapelles (or Christian villages) were established in the prefecture.
The first Prefect Apostolic of Upper Kassai was Emeri Cambier, born at Flobecq
Flobecq
Flobecq is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. It borders to the municipalities of Ellezelles and Lessines in the same province and to Brakel in the province of East Flanders, on the other side of the language border.On January 1, 2008, Flobecq had a total...
in the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
province of Hainaut, 2 January 1865. He was ordained priest 20 November 1887, arrived in the Congo in 1888, at Luluabourg in 1891, and in 1904 was placed at the head of the newly created prefecture Apostolic. The King of Belgium named him an officer of the Royal Order of the Lion in recognition of his services. He died on 29 September 1943, at Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
.