Halfway between power politics and humanitarian activities

Abstract

How did European exploration of inner Africa open up new opportunities for the Catholic Church? In her study the author seeks to answer this question by looking through – from the time of secularization – the clerical-profane opposition, the Holy See’s socio-political withdrawal and parallel with this the exploration and colonization of Africa, and the renewed appreciation of the church as a result of the institutionalization of its missions. Which members of which church were the most active on the African continent initially? What exactly did “missionary activities” mean in colloquial language? What kind of economic, political and social gains could the Holy See get out of these activities?