KENEG-TUNG, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — In southern Burma, within the Federated Shan States, it comprises the States of K., Tawnpeng, Southern and Northern Hsenwi, and that part of the State of Manglon which lies to the right of the Salwen River.
It has an area of 120,000 sq. km., largely mountainous, with a temperate climate in the highlands and hot, malarial conditions in the valleys. The population consists of the Shan (Tai), a Sino-Tibetan group who migrated from the north (Tibet) and northeast (China), forming the dominant class, and various subject races, among whom the principal are the Musho', the Ikô, the Caccin and the Wa.
The territory of the present vicariate was formerly part of the Prefecture of Southern Burma, later the Apostolic Vicariate of Toungoo, but missionaries were only able to penetrate it in 1911–12. On 12 April 1927, the Apostolic Prefecture of K. was erected, and on 26 May 1950 it was raised to the status of a vicariate. It is entrusted to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions of Milan. The population exceeds 900,000, divided as follows: 850,000 Buddhists, 5,000 Muslims, 35,000 Protestants, 7,643 Catholics and 5,000 catechumens. Ecclesiastically, the vicariate is divided into 12 districts, several primary stations and 145 secondary ones, 8 churches and 145 chapels. The apostolate is carried out by 22 priests of the said Institute, 1 indigenous priest, 2 lay brothers, assisted by 21 Sisters of Reparation of Nazareth, 28 Daughters of Charity of the Child Jesus and 16 sisters of an indigenous congregation, as well as about thirty catechists. Instruction is provided in 28 elementary schools with 1,875 pupils, 5 middle schools with 274 pupils, 2 middle and 4 vocational schools with about a hundred students. Prayer schools are fairly well attended. Charitable works include 2 hospitals with 105 beds, 21 orphanages with 555 orphans, 6 poor-houses with 50 elderly, 1 leper asylum with 680 patients, and 17 dispensaries with an annual average of 110,000 consultations. There is a minor seminary and a preparatory school, 15 confraternities and several associations of Catholic Action. The Japanese occupation of Burma (1941–46) and the disturbances of recent years have greatly hindered missionary activity.