Catholicism and the Kongo Free State

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 19, 1906

Catholicism and the Kongo Free State

The Kongo Free State has found in the Catholic Church a staunch defender of its course whenever accusations have been made of its cruelties in the Kongo country. The accusers have been belittled as disappointed Protestant missionaries, and their accusations declared to be unreliable and false; and there is no doubt that the position of the Catholic Church in this matter is responsible for the disinclination of the various governments to push the demand for Kongo reforms. The reason for this attitude of Catholicism is easily understood by reading the following article, which appeared in the Catholic Mirror of July 7:—

The Holy See and the Kongo Free State have entered into an agreement for the furtherance of missionary work in Africa.

In accordance with this convention the Kongo government grants each Catholic mission from two hundred and fifty to five hundred acres of land in fee simple, and provides also, in certain cases, a stipend for the missionary in charge. The church on its part, agrees to establish new schools for the natives, especially agricultural and manual training-schools.

The preamble of the convention sets forth that:—

“The Holy Apostolic See, being desirous of encouraging the systematic diffusion of Catholicism in the Kongo, and the government of the Kongo Free State, appreciating the important part taken by the Catholic missionaries in the work of civilizing Central Africa, have made an agreement between themselves and with the representatives of the Catholic missions in the Kongo for the purpose of still further assuring the realization of their respective intentions.”

With such a hold upon the state, receiving such favors from the state, and with such an ambition as she has, it should be no cause for wonder that such a state finds such a warm defender in such a church.