CHEFGO, DIOCESE OF. - It is located in the civil province of Shantung (China). The mission was erected as an apostolic vicariate on 27 February 1894 by division of the apostolic vicariate of Northern Shantung and was entrusted to the Friars Minor; in June 1931 it ceded more than two-thirds of its territory for the erection of the apostolic prefectures of Idhüsien (q.v.) and Weihaiwei (q.v.); on 11 April 1946 it was elevated to a suffragan diocese of Tsinan.
Within its present boundaries, Chefgo covers an area of 15,000 sq. km. The total population, as of 30 June 1947, was approximately 3,000,000, of whom 12,700 were Catholics. In addition to the bishop, there were 18 foreign priests and 17 Chinese priests; the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary numbered 96, of whom 47 were Chinese. The war has destroyed many charitable works.