DUNEDIN, DIOCESE of. - It was erected in 1869 and entrusted to the secular clergy. It comprises the two united civil provinces of Otago and Southland on the South Island of New Zealand, and Stewart Island, and has an area of 65,800 sq. km. and 224,069 inhabitants (government census of 1936). The population, apart from a few hundred Maori aborigines, is of European origin, chiefly Scottish, English, and Irish. The language spoken by all is English. The religion professed by the overwhelming majority of the population is Protestantism (Presbyterians, Anglicans, together with a few followers of other Protestant sects).
According to the Catholic Directory of 1948, Catholics number 26,793, that is, barely 12% of the total population. The diocese has 24 parishes, 79 churches, 52 secular priests, 7 religious priests, 24 religious brothers, and 291 sisters. There are 29 Catholic elementary schools and 11 secondary schools, with 3,978 pupils. There are also four charitable institutions, and the pious associations and those of Catholic Action are highly efficient. Within the boundaries of the diocese is the philosophical and theological seminary of Mosgiel, which serves as the regional seminary for all New Zealand and is entrusted to the Vincentian Fathers.