Henrique of Kongo (bishop)

Henrique of Kongo (c. 1495 – 1531) was a Kongo prince and the first native African Roman Catholic bishop. He was the son of King Afonso I of Kongo and one of the earliest figures in the development of Christianity in the Kingdom of Kongo.

Henrique was sent to Europe for education, studying in Portugal and later at the Vatican. He was ordained a priest in 1521 and consecrated as a bishop in 1518 or 1521, becoming the titular Bishop of Utica.

Upon his return to the Kongo, Henrique played a significant role in the Kongolese church. He helped to translate religious texts into Kikongo, the local language, and worked to establish schools and strengthen the faith amongst his people. His efforts were crucial in adapting Christianity to Kongolese culture.

Despite his high ecclesiastical position, Henrique faced challenges due to racial prejudice and the prevailing attitudes of the Portuguese clergy. He was often sidelined in decision-making and his authority was sometimes undermined.

Henrique's episcopate was relatively short, lasting until his death in 1531. Nevertheless, he remains a significant figure as a symbol of the early indigenization of the Catholic Church in sub-Saharan Africa and a pioneer in the history of the Kongo. His life represents an important moment in the complex interaction between European and African cultures during the early modern period.