Eshowe, Apostolic Vicariate of

ESHOWE, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - With
territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of Natal,
on 27 Aug. 1921 the apostolic prefecture
of Zululand was erected. On 11 Dec. 1923 it was enlarged with
other territories likewise detached from Natal and elevated to an apostolic vicariate entrusted to the Benedictines of
St. Ottilien (Bavaria).

Over an area of approximately 32,152 sq. km. lives a population of approximately 560,000 inhabitants, of whom 15,300 are of European origin; English, Dutch, German. The natives are of the Zulu race and a few thousand of the Basuto and Tonga races, who generally speak Zulu and Sesotho, a few Afrikaans. Catholics number 14,557 in all, of whom the natives are 13,393, Indians 46, colored 687 and Europeans 451. The catechumens 1,324. Protestants approximately 120,000, Jews approximately 500, Muslims 700, pagans approximately 433,000. There are (1949) 49 missionaries of whom one is a native; brothers 32; European sisters 58, native 46; catechists 32; churches 87, chapels 3, primary stations 12, secondary 139. Hospitals 4 with 302 beds; dispensaries 7, orphanages 4 with 686 children. Elementary schools 70 with 4,975 pupils, middle schools 7 with 463 pupils, higher 1 with 182 pupils; vocational 7 with 26 pupils. The mission seeks to develop especially the schools and Catholic Action.

Saverio Pavanti