Oudtshoorn, Diocese of

OUDTSHOORN, DIOCESE of — In the Union of South Africa, on territory detached on 3 August 1874 from the apostolic vicariate of the Western District of the Cape of Good Hope (now the diocese of Cape Town) and erected as the apostolic prefecture of the Central District of the Cape of Good Hope, entrusted to the missionaries of the Seminary of Lyon, Missions (v.). By virtue of the decree of 3 July 1879, the latter ceded it to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, receiving in exchange the apostolic prefecture of the Gold Coast and Ivory Coast.

In 1882 these missionaries had to abandon it, and it was placed under the administration of the apostolic vicar of Cape Town, assisted by the secular clergy and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. On 20 June 1885 some districts formed the apostolic prefecture of the Orange River (now the diocese of Keimoes). In 1922 it was entrusted «vivae vocis oraculo» to the Pious Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers), as is shown by the rescript of 17 May 1923. On 16 March 1927 the civil district of Prieska was ceded to the apostolic vicariate of the Orange River, which in turn ceded the districts of Calvinia and Fraserburg.

On 28 June 1930 the districts of Worcester, Swelledam, Tulbagh Ceres, Riversdale, Montagu and Robertson were annexed to it by the apostolic vicariate of Cape Town, which in 1934 ceded the island of St. Helena. On 13 June 1939 it received its present designation; on 9 December 1948 it was raised to an apostolic vicariate, and on 11 January 1951, with the establishment of the hierarchy in the Union of South Africa, it was raised to a diocese.

Its area is approximately 185,000 sq. km., with a temperate and salubrious climate. The principal cities are connected by railway. Half of the population, which numbers approximately 360,000 inhabitants, is of European origin, and many are of mixed origin. The indigenous Hottentots, Bushmen and Bantu are few. English is spoken

(phot. Fides)

and Afrikaans. There are 15 Pallottine missionaries and 3 diocesan priests, 12 brothers and 109 sisters, 11 of them nationals. There are 701 national Catholics, 950 foreigners, 2,129 of mixed origin, and 195 catechumens. Protestants number 340,000. There are approximately 2,500 Jews and 3,000 Muslims. Few are pagans. There are 15 primary stations, 9 secondary stations, 18 chapels and 7 dispensaries. There are 13 elementary schools, 1 secondary school and 2 vocational schools. A Catholic periodical is published there, with approximately 1,500 copies. The charitable associations and Catholic Action are flourishing.