DUNEDIN, DIOCESE OF
The Diocese of Dunedin was erected in 1869 and entrusted to the secular clergy. It comprises the two united civil provinces of Otago and Southland in the South Island of New Zealand, as well as Stewart Island, and covers an area of 65,800 sq. km. with a population of 224,069 (government census of 1936). Apart from a few hundred aboriginal Maori, the population is of European origin, mostly Scottish, English, and Irish. The language spoken by all is English. The religion professed by the vast majority of the population is Protestantism (Presbyterians, Anglicans, along with a few adherents of other Protestant denominations).
According to the Catholic Directory of 1948, Catholics number 26,793, or just 12% of the total population. The diocese has 24 parishes, 79 churches, 52 diocesan priests, 7 religious priests, 24 religious brothers, and 291 nuns. There are 29 Catholic elementary schools and 11 secondary schools with 3,978 pupils. There are also four charitable institutions, and Catholic Action associations are very active. Within the diocese is the philosophical and theological seminary of Mosgiel, which serves all of New Zealand and is entrusted to the Vincentian Fathers.