Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owando

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owando is a jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Congo. On February 11, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Victor Abagna Mossa as Bishop of Owando.

Archdiocese of Owando Archidioecesis Ouandoensis
Location
Country	Republic of the Congo
Statistics
Area	75,850 km2 (29,290 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2020) 488,140 355,120 (72.7%)
Parishes	27
Information
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	21 December 1950 (Vicariate Apostolic of Fort-Rousset) 14 September 1955 (Diocese of Fort-Rousset) 3 December 1977 (Diocese of Owando) 30 May 2020 (Archdiocese of Owando)
Cathedral	Cathedral of Christ the King
Secular priests	53
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Archbishop	Gélase Armel Kema
Website
archdioceseowando.org

On May 30, 2020, the Diocese of Owando was raised to Archdiocese, and Bishop Victor Abagna Mossa was elevated to Archbishop.

History

• December 21, 1950: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Fort-Rousset
• September 14, 1955: Promoted as Diocese of Fort-Rousset
• December 3, 1977: Renamed as Diocese of Owando
• May 30, 2020: Elevated to Archdiocese of Owando

As of 2020, the Archdiocese was preparing to twin with the Diocese of Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis). This came after a visit from Mgr Pascal Delannoy to the new Archdiocese of Owando in July 2020.

Bishops

Vicars Apostolic of Fort-Rousset

1. Emile-Elie Verhille, C.S.Sp. (1951-1955), title changed to Bishop of Fort-Rousset

Bishops of Fort-Rousset

1. Emile-Elie Verhille, C.S.Sp. (1955-1968)
2. Georges Benoit Gassongo (Apostolic Administrator 1968-1970)

Bishops of Owando

1. Georges-Firmin Singha (1972-1988), appointed Bishop of Pointe-Noire
2. Ernest Kombo, S.J. (1990-2008)
3. Louis Portella Mbuyu (Apostolic Administrator 2008-2011)
4. Victor Abagna Mossa (2011-2020), elevated to Archbishop

Archbishops of Owando

1. Victor Abagna Mossa (2020-2023)
2. Gélase Armel Kema, C.S.Sp. (2024-)

Former Auxiliary Bishops

• Georges Benoit Gassongo (1965-1981)

Suffragan Dioceses

• Impfondo
• Ouesso

See also

• Roman Catholicism in the Republic of the Congo

Sources

• GCatholic - Metropolitan Archdiocese of Owando
• Catholic Hierarchy - Archdiocese of Owando
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Owando Official Site