CAROLINE and MARSHALL, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of the ISLANDS. - The evangelization of the C. began in the 18th century, through the work of the Jesuits. Annexed in 1883 to the vicariate of Western Oceania, they were incorporated in 1884 into the vicariate of Micronesia, to which the M. and the Gilbert Islands also belonged. Subsequently, on 15 May 1886, they were constituted as two missions sui iuris; finally, they were united to form the apostolic prefecture of the C. Islands on 19 Dec. 1905. From the union of the apostolic prefecture of the C. Islands with that of the Marianas, on 1 March 1911, arose the vicariate of the Mariana and C. Islands.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart began the evangelization of the M. in 1891. This mission, separated from the vicariate of Micronesia, was erected on 20 Sept. 1905 as the apostolic vicariate of the M. Islands. From the union of the vicariate of the Marianas and C. with that of the M. (1911) originated the vicariate of the Mariana, C., and M. Islands, which embraced the three archipelagos, except for the island of Guam, entrusted to the Jesuits. Finally, on 4 July 1946, with the transfer of all the Mariana Islands to the vicariate of Guam, the present designation of apostolic vicariate of the C. and M. Islands was established.
Area: 2,000 sq. km. Population: 47,411: Catholics, 15,717; Protestants, 23,577; pagans, 7,658; 16 American Jesuit Fathers, 9 coadjutor brothers, and 12 nuns, who direct three colleges for girls. There are 32 sacred buildings and 5 elementary schools administered by the mission.