FERNANDO POO, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — By decree of 10 October 1855, the Apostolic Prefecture of the Islands of Annobón, Corsico and F. P., belonging to Spanish Guinea, was erected, with territory detached from the Apostolic Vicariate of the Two Guineas. It was entrusted to the secular priest don Michele Martinez y Sanz and, by decree of 18 July 1857, to the Jesuits.
Propaganda then, by another decree of 16 December 1858, united to the aforementioned prefecture the two islands of Greater and Lesser Eichoy, and by decree of 4 January 1860 the continental territory of Cabo S. Juan and the neighbouring zone then subject to Spain. In 1872 the Jesuits left the mission, which was entrusted to military chaplains and some secular priests until 1883, when the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) went there. In that same year the Apostolic Prefecture was re-established with the territories annexed in 1860. The continental territories had no precise boundaries, and finally, on 25 April 1903, the entire area of Rio Muni was annexed to the prefecture, which on 12 May was elevated to a vicariate under its present designation.
The climate is hot and humid, and the soil extremely fertile. The indigenous inhabitants are of the Bantu race, many of whom understand Spanish. The area is approximately 29,000 sq. km. According to the 1948 statistics, the vicariate has 44 Claretians, with 17 coadjutor brothers, and 114 nuns. There are 14 major and 18 minor seminaries. The population exceeds 190,000 inhabitants, of whom 116,898 are indigenous Catholics, 6000 foreigners, 422 of mixed ancestry, 12,818 catechumens, 8 Eastern dissidents, 9372 Protestants, 700 Muslims and approximately 45,000 pagans. There are 12 parish districts, 18 elementary schools with 2350 pupils, 1 middle school with 64 pupils, 1 secondary school with 17 pupils, hospitals, 2 dispensaries, 18 orphanages with 484 children, and 2 leprosariums with 2500 patients. Two periodicals are also published there.