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Metropolitan see Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Archdiocese of Kinshasa

Kinshasan(us)

Latin Church

Latin-rite metropolitan archdiocese covering the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, tracing to the 1886 Mission of Belgian Congo, elevated to Archdiocese of Leopoldville on 10 November 1959 and renamed Kinshasa on 30 May 1966. Its seat is Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral, and it is led by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. Suffragans: Boma, Idiofa, Inongo, Kenge, Kikwit, Kisantu, Matadi, and Popokabaka.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Established
1966
Catholics
6,378,000
Priests
238
Territory
8,500 km²

Parishes and churches

20 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Archbishop
His Eminence Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap.

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral stands in Kinshasa, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

History

Covering the capital city of Kinshasa and its surrounding districts, the Archdiocese of Kinshasa (Latin: Archidioecesis Kinshasana; French: Archidiocèse de Kinshasa; Lingala: Archidiocèse ya Kinshasa) is a Roman Catholic archdiocese of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It serves as metropolitan see for the Ecclesiastical Province of Kinshasa, and its current archbishop is Fridolin Ambongo Besungu.

This see in the wire

Stories that name this see

The wire's resolver matched this see in the text of each story.

  • Cardinal Ambongo Urges Catholic Church in DR Congo to Move “from isolated initiatives to collaboration”

    Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo urged the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to shift from isolated pastoral projects toward collaboration and missionary engagement. Speaking during the opening Mass of the third Diocesan Pastoral Week for the Archdiocese of Kinshasa on September 21, the Archbishop of Kinshasa called for a move away from personal interests and individual charisma in favor of communion and service to the Church. The gathering, which runs from September 21 to September 26, focuses on the theme of synodality and communion. The event brings together various leaders from the archdiocese, including auxiliary bishops and parish priests, to assess the current pastoral journey and determine future mission priorities. Ambongo, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, stated that the different gifts held by apostles, priests, religious, and lay faithful should build up the Church rather than cause division. He noted that these diverse talents must be used for the benefit of the entire community.

    Sep 25, 2026 · Bishops

  • Episcopal Commission Calls for Inclusive Dialogue as DR Congo Political Actors Debate Path to Peace

    The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) called for all national stakeholders to participate in a proposed dialogue to address political and security crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During a panel held on September 16 at the Interdiocesan Centre in the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, representatives from the government and the opposition discussed the conditions for a national dialogue to address the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country. The panel served as the second National Justice and Peace Day and examined the dialogue initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi. Participants explored potential formats, mediation methods, and the institutional framework that could govern the peace process. CENCO Secretary-General Bishop Donatien Nshole stated that inclusivity is a fundamental requirement to ensure the legitimacy and credibility of the dialogue. He noted that lasting peace cannot be built without the effective participation of all national actors.

    Sep 18, 2026 · Bishops

Filed by our own wire from published sources. Read the wire.