JOHANNESBURG, Apostolic Vicariate of. - The territory forms part of the Union of South Africa and by decree of 4 June 1886 was erected into an apostolic prefecture, detached from the apostolic vicariate of Natal. On 16 September 1904 it was raised to the status of an apostolic vicariate under the title of Transvaal.
By decree of 22 December 1910, the northern zone was detached from the apostolic vicariate of Transvaal to form the apostolic prefecture of Northern Transvaal, now the abbazia nullius of Pietersburg, and by another decree of 12 June 1923 further territory was detached to form the apostolic prefecture of Lydenburg, now a vicariate; by decree of 30 March 1930 the districts of Marico and Rustenburg were assigned to the apostolic vicariate of Kimberley. By decree of 9 April 1948 the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith divided it to erect the apostolic vicariate of Pretoria, and the remaining territory took the name of apostolic vicariate of Johannesburg.
The first Mass was celebrated in 1864 at Potchefstroom, but the priest, who had come from the Orange Free State, was driven out.
Many of the indigenous people work in the mines or remain in domestic service, which makes apostolic work among them very difficult. The large population centres, due to the gold and diamond mines, present social problems of no easy solution.
The area of the territory is approximately 32,185 sq. km., with a population of 2,024,888, of whom only 700,418 are Europeans. There are 71,304 Catholics and 2,745 catechumens; the rest are Protestants or pagans. The mission is entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who number 88, assisted by 9 other diocesan priests. There are 47 brothers, 640 sisters, 149 catechists, and 337 teachers. There are 4 districts, 31 quasi-parishes, 25 primary stations, 25 secondary stations, 19 churches, 51 chapels, 2 hospitals, 2 dispensaries, and 1 orphanage. Other charitable works and Catholic Action associations are in full development. In the various schools 24,811 boys are educated. Two periodicals are published in 4,700 copies.