Roman Catholic Diocese of Lisala

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lisala (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

Episcopal ordinaries

 * Nearly all (originally missionary) members of Latin Rite congregation Scheutists (C.I.C.M.)


 * Vicars Apostolic of Nouvelle-Anvers (Latin Rite)
 * Bishop Egidio de Böck, C.I.C.M., Titular Bishop of Azotus (4 January 1921 – 27 January 1936) (previously Apostolic Prefect of then Apostolic Prefecture of Kasaï Supérieur)


 * 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)

Source and External links

 * GCatholic.org
 * Catholic Hierarchy