Church, State and Colonialism in Southeastern Congo, 1890–1962

Reuben A. Loffman is Lecturer in African History at Queen Mary, University of London, UK. He has published articles on the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in journals such as International Journal of African Historical Studies and African Studies, and has offered political commentary on Congolese politics for media outlets such as Al-Jazeera.

1 Introduction: The Catholic 'Republic' in Southeastern Congo.- 2 Pre-Colonial Politics in Kongolo to 1890.- 3 The Halting Development of Catholic Power in Kongolo, 1891-1917.- 4 The Failure of 'Great' Chieftainships and the Extension of Catholic Authority, 1918-1932.- 5 Missionaries and the Formation of Colonial Chieftainship, 1933-1939.- 6 A Marriage of Convenience: Church and State in the Late Colonial Period, 1940-1956.- 7 Religion, Class and the Katangese Secession, 1957-1962.- 8 Conclusion.-     

"Loffman's first monograph is a welcome addition to the history of Church and state relations in colonial Congo. This book contributes to ongoing academic debates on the region's pasts while shedding much-needed light on some of its neglected historiographic corners. ... Loffman's thoroughly documented monograph is a precious contribution to its field and will certainly stimulate future intellectual debates on colonial Central Africa. ... this monograph promises to stimulate, enrich and further our knowledge of Central Africa's recent political history." (Benoît Henriet, BMGN - Low Countries Historical Review, Vol. 135, 2020)

"Loffman's and Morier-Genoud's monographs offer impressive and much-needed contributions to historiography on the Catholic Church and religious politics in twentieth-century Africa, moving us beyond simplistic tropes of Church-State collaboration or resistance." (J. J. Carney, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 71 (4), October, 2020)