Hung-Hoa, Apostolic Vicariate of

HUNG-HOA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - Located in the interior regions of northern Tonkin, it was erected on 15 Dec. 1895 under the name of Upper Tonkin, being detached from the apostolic vicariate of Western Tonkin. It assumed its present name on 3 Dec. 1924.

Its territory of 60,000 sq km comprises the civil provinces of Son-Tay, Phu-Tho, Yen-Bai, Tuyen-Quang, Hoa-Binh, Son-La, Lao-Kay. In the province of Phu-Tho is found the city of H.-H., which is the residence of the Ossinario. It is entrusted to the fathers of the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris. In the flat part of the territory the inhabitants are all of Annamite stock, whereas in the mountainous zone the inhabitants, still rustic and nomadic, are divided into three tribes: Tho, Man, Meo. Many believe in metempsychosis and for this reason one frequently comes upon foodstuffs at the tombs. Out of a population of 1,202,000 inhabitants, Catholics number 68,000 with 4,383 catechumens; pagans total 1,134,000. There are 56 Annamite priests and 22 foreign ones; 65 Annamite sisters and 4 foreign ones; 93 catechists and 14 teachers. A minor seminary with 120 pupils and 9 major seminarians who study outside the mission; 37 quasi-parishes; 6 primary stations and 478 secondary ones; 62 churches and 437 chapels; 62 elementary schools with 1,845 male pupils and 369 female pupils; 4 hospitals with 70 beds, 4 dispensaries with 12,450 consultations a year; 4 orphanages with 85 orphans and 70 orphan girls; 4 homes for the aged with 90 residents; a leper colony with 190 inmates.

Edoardo Pecorzio