Missionaries in Congo: Current Historical Research

Friday 23 January 2026 (9.30 am–12.30 pm) – KADOC & online

On Friday 23 January, MoSa and KADOC co-organise a seminar focusing on the history of Protestant and Catholic missionaries in colonial and postcolonial Congo. Reuben Loffman will present his forthcoming publication on the American Presbyterian Congo Mission, while several researchers from the Catholic University of Congo, KU Leuven, KADOC–KU Leuven, VUB, and the Royal Academies for Science and the Arts will present their current research on missionaries in Congo.

PROGRAMME

9:30      Welcome – Prof. Idesbald Goddeeris (KU Leuven, Faculty of Arts, History of Modernity and Society (MoSa))

9:40      The American Presbyterian Congo Mission – Dr. Reuben Loffman (Queen Mary University of London)

10:10     Presentations of current research (part I)

10:10   Africanisation of the Church – Dr. Elisabeth Bruyère (KU Leuven, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Research Unit of History of Church and Theology)

10:20   Willy Bunduki (Université Catholique du Congo)

10:30   Missionary Medicine – Dr. Maarten Langhendries (Royal Academies for Science and the Arts of Belgium)

10:40   Education – Prof. Em. Marc Depaepe (KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences)

10:50   Break

11:00   Presentations of current research (part II)

11:00   Female Congregations – Mick Feyaerts (KU Leuven, Faculty of Arts, History of Modernity and Society (MoSa))

11:10   Leprosy – Felix Deckx (KU Leuven, Faculty of Arts, Cultural History since 1750)

11:20   Polygamy – Ilaria Masseroni (KU Leuven, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Division for Roman Law and Legal History)

11:30   Africanisation of Male Congregations – Simon Nsielanga (KU Leuven, Faculty of Arts, History of Modernity and Society (MoSa))

11:40   Missionaries and Violence – Prof. Reinout Vander Hulst (VUB, Research Group SHOC (Social History of Capitalism))

11:50   Debate

12:30   Conclusion – Dr. Jonas Van Mulder (KADOC-KU Leuven)

Lunch (a sandwich lunch is offered to the participants)

Registration is possible until 20 January.

https://kadoc.kuleuven.be/english/3_research/31_ourresearch/workshops/2025/col_2025_seminaries

Beeld – bron: © KADOC-KU Leuven