NEW CALEDONIA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — It comprises the island of that name between Australia and the New Hebrides, and the islands: La Grande Terre, des Pins, Loyauté or Mare, Lifou, Ouvèa, Belep. It is entrusted to the religious of the Society of Mary.
In New Caledonia, Mgr. G. Douarre, a Marist, landed in 1843 with some missionaries, but the hostility of the natives, culminating in the killing of Brother B. Mormoiton (20 July 1847), forced them to take refuge in Sydney and then in 1848 on the island of Annatom (New Hebrides). Returning in 1851, they were able to begin missionary work, though hindered by the French authorities, who invited Protestant missions to establish themselves there. The vicariate was erected on 23 July 1847, its territory being taken from the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Oceania. The cathedral of Nouméa, consecrated in 1894, is one of the finest monuments in Oceania.
The area of the islands is about 18,000 sq. km., with about 60,000 inhabitants, of whom 15,190 are indigenous Catholics, 18,000 Europeans, 1,300 Asians, about 15,900 Protestants, and 8,800 pagans and Muslims. There are 10 districts, almost 30 parishes; 47 missionaries, 48 brothers, 189 sisters; 20 churches, 108 chapels; 50 elementary schools. Two bulletins are published there.