NEW CALEDONIA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE. - It comprises the island of the same name between Australia and the New Hebrides and the islands of La Grande Terre, des Pins, Loyauté or Maré, Lifou, Ouvéa, and the Belep. It is entrusted to the religious of the Society of Mary.
In N. C. Mgr G. Douarre, a Marist, landed in 1843 with several missionaries, but the hostility of the natives, culminating in the killing of Brother B. Mormoiton (20 July 1847), compelled them to take refuge in Sydney and then, in 1848, on the island of Annatom (New Hebrides). Having returned in 1851, they were able to begin missionary activity, though hindered by the French authorities, who invited the Protestants to establish their missions there. The vicariate was erected on 23 July 1847, its territory having been detached from the apostolic vicariate of Central Oceania. The cathedral of Noumea, consecrated in 1894, is one of the finest monuments in Oceania.
The area of the islands is approximately 18,000 sq. km., with approximately 60,000 inhabitants, of whom 15,190 are indigenous Catholics; Europeans, 18,000; Asians, 1,300; Protestants, approximately 15,990; pagans and Muslims, 8,800. Districts, 10; almost 30 parishes; missionaries, 47; brothers, 48; sisters, 189. Churches, 20; chapels, 108. Elementary schools, 50. Two bulletins are published there.