KENG-TUNG, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — In southern Burma, in the Federated Shan States, it comprises the States of K., Tawnpeng, southern and northern Hsenwi, and the part of the State of Manglon that lies on the right bank of the Salween River.
It has an area of 120,000 sq. km., which is largely mountainous, with a temperate climate in the uplands and a hot, malarial climate in the valleys. The population consists of the Shan (Tai), a Siamese-Chinese stock who immigrated from the north (Tibet) and the northeast (China) and form the ruling class, and of various subject races, the principal ones being the Musho, Ikò, Caccin and Wa.
The territory of the present vicariate formed part of the prefecture of southern Burma, later the Apostolic Vicariate of Toungoo, but missionaries were able to enter it only in 1911–12. The Apostolic Prefecture of K. was established there on 12 April 1927 and elevated to a vicariate on 26 May 1950. It is entrusted to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions of Milan. It has more than 900,000 inhabitants, 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 stations, with 8 churches and 145 chapels. Its apostolate is carried out by 22 priests of the aforementioned Institute, 1 indigenous priest and 2 lay brothers, assisted by 21 Sisters Reparatrices of Nazareth, 28 Sisters of Charity of Mary Bambina and 16 sisters of an indigenous congregation, as well as about thirty male and female catechists. Instruction is provided in 28 elementary schools with 1,875 pupils, 5 middle schools with 274 pupils, and 2 secondary and 4 vocational schools with about one hundred students. The prayer schools are fairly well attended. The charitable works consist of 2 hospitals with 105 beds, 21 orphanages with 555 orphans, 6 homes for the indigent with 50 elderly residents, 1 leprosarium 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 Catholic Action associations. The Japanese occupation of Burma (1941–46) and the disturbances of recent years have considerably hindered missionary apostolate.