GHARDAIA IN THE SAHARA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - It originated from the apostolic prefecture of the Sahara and Sudan, erected on 6 Aug. 1868 by separation from the apostolic vicariate of Central Africa, which in 1913 took the name of Khartoum. The aforesaid prefecture was raised to an apostolic vicariate in 1891, and from its territory, on 19 July 1901, the apostolic prefecture of G. was detached; the apostolic vicariate of the Sahara and Sudan then took the name of apostolic vicariate of the Sahara in the French Sudan, which in 1921 was divided into the apostolic vicariates of Bamako and Ouagadougou. In 1928 and 1947 the apostolic prefecture underwent boundary adjustments with the dioceses of Orano, Algeri, and Costantina. By decree of 10 Jan. 1921 it received its present designation, and on 10 June 1948 it was raised to an apostolic vicariate.
It comprises almost the whole southern territory and for the most part extends over the Sahara. It is entrusted to the White Fathers. Its territory exceeds 2,120,000 sq. km. The population exceeds 982,235 inhabitants, of whom 963,434 are Muslims, 8,124 Jews, 171 Protestants, 79 indigenous Catholics, 10,187 foreigners, 325 of mixed descent, and 5 catechumens. Parishes 4, principal stations 9 and secondary stations 27. Priests 44, brothers 6, sisters 128. There are 8 elementary schools with 1,169 pupils and 20 vocational schools with 1,643 pupils. The apostolate is very difficult because the entire population is Muslim.