Catholic Missions and African Responses II: 1800–1885

Nineteenth-century renewed Catholic mission in sub-Saharan Africa reflected innovative new missionary bodies, renewed papal support, the growth of Propaganda Fide and lay-led mission support agencies, and broader European economic and political engagement. Catholic populations remained small, yet dynamic mission leaders and African converts set the stage for modest Catholic expansion. Factors promoting Catholic growth in Africa included formalizing missionary jurisdictions and responsibilities, galvanizing Catholic missionary formation and piety, increasing numbers of mostly European Catholic missionaries, and embracing faith by Africans. Often preoccupied with education and healthcare, alongside basic faith education and the formation of potential leaders, Catholic mission regularly targeted for conversion both elites and vulnerable Africans, especially slaves, refugees, and children. Diverse mission outcomes reflected local political dynamics, cooperation with local political leaders and European support, and distinct strategies of linguistic and cultural adaptation. African Catholic converts—some one-time slaves—sometimes pursued remarkable missionary and pastoral work, before and occasionally alongside expatriate missionaries. Certain Catholic missionaries also developed impressive records in spreading the faith. By 1885, Catholics remained few throughout Africa, yet the church was poised for growth. Formal colonialism to follow catalyzed that growth overall, as Africans increasingly discerned a faith worthy of their notice.