Renewed Catholic Apostolate in Urbanized Belgian Congo Through Sport (1919–1959)

Abstract

In response to the changing views on the apostolate after the First World War, several Catholic missionary congregations adopted new missionary methods within their territories. In the Belgian Congo, Catholic missionaries (along with missionaries of other denominations) took a new interest in the social apostolate among the indigenous people living in increasingly urbanized areas. Along with other social activities such as establishing youth movements or creating cultural centres (libraries, theatres, cinemas), sports took on a very important role. During the interwar period, several missionary congregations working in close collaboration with colonial representatives in the cities of Leopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa) and Elisabethville (modern-day Lubumbashi) focused on creating sports organizations and building sports stadiums for the benefit of indigenous people.