BETLEHEM, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — It was erected in 1948 from the western part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Kroonstad (South Africa), where since 1932 Dutch Dominican Fathers had been working. The former Apostolic Vicariate of Kroonstad was thus divided into two vicariates: the western part retained the name of Kroonstad and was entrusted to the Dominican Fathers, while the eastern part, under the name of Betlehem, was left to the Fathers of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.
The territory of the Apostolic Vicariate of Betlehem covers approximately 34,000 sq. km. and has a population of about 255,000 souls, of whom 880 are indigenous Catholics, 262 foreign, and 85 mixed; there are 2,290 catechumens. Protestants number about 150,000, Jews about 200, and pagans about 80,000. There are 2 quasi-parishes, 9 primary stations, 35 secondary stations, 6 dispensaries, and 10 elementary schools with 2,183 pupils. There are 22 foreign missionaries, 3 indigenous priests, 7 brothers, and 17 sisters. Catholic Action and other pious associations are fairly well developed.