GHARDAIA IN THE SAHARA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — It originated from the Apostolic Prefecture of the Sahara and Sudan, erected on 6 August 1868 by separation from the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Africa, which in 1913 took the name of Khartoum. The aforementioned prefecture was elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate in 1891, and from its territory the Apostolic Prefecture of Ghardaia was detached on 19 July 1901; the Apostolic Vicariate of the Sahara and Sudan then took the name of Apostolic Vicariate of the Sahara in French Sudan, which in 1921 was divided into the Apostolic Vicariates of Bamako and Ouagadougou. The Apostolic Prefecture underwent boundary adjustments with the dioceses of Oran, Algiers, and Constantine in 1928 and 1947. By decree of 10 January 1921 it received its present name, and on 10 June 1948 it was elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate.
It comprises almost the entire southern territory and extends for the most part into the Sahara. It is entrusted to the White Fathers. Its territory exceeds 2,120,000 sq. km. The population exceeds 982,325 inhabitants, of whom 963,434 are Muslims, Jews 8,124, Protestants 171, indigenous Catholics 79, foreigners 10,187, of mixed descent 325, and catechumens 5. There are 4 parishes, 9 primary stations and 27 secondary stations. 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 population is entirely Muslim.