PORT ELIZABETH, DIOCESE of. – In the eastern region of the Union of South Africa. It was erected on 30 July 1847 as the apostolic vicariate of the Cape of Good Hope, Eastern District, following the division of the apostolic vicariate of the Cape.
The first apostolic vicar, Msgr. Aidano Devereux, brought nuns to southern Africa; in 1849 they opened a convent in Grahamstown, and in 1850 he founded the periodical Colonist, which continued until 1859. His successors called in other religious for the education of the young. On 12 June 1923, a large area was detached to form the apostolic prefecture of Gariep, together with other territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of Kimberley. This prefecture was raised on 27 January 1926 to an apostolic vicariate under the name of Alival, which became a diocese on 11 January 1951. On 30 February 1929, another part was detached to constitute the mission sui iuris of Queenstown. On 13 June 1939 it took the name of the apostolic vicariate of P. E., and on 11 January 1951, with the establishment of the hierarchy in the Union of South Africa, it became a suffragan diocese of Cape Town.
Secular clergy, largely Irish, have always worked there. It has an area of approximately 72,000 sq. km. More than half the territory is divided into large estates owned by Europeans. The indigenous population inhabits the area between the Fish and Kei Rivers. The population numbers approximately
800,000 inhabitants, of whom 204,300 are Europeans, 112,553 mixed, 5,537 Asians, and the remainder indigenous. English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa are spoken. There are few Muslims and Jews. Catholics number approximately 25,486; many of the indigenous people are pagans, while others are Protestants.
There are 16 parishes, approximately; 11 primary stations; 45 secondary stations. The priests number 59, assisted by 15 Jesuit fathers, 35 brothers, 566 nuns, 21 catechists, and 130 teachers. There are 3 hospitals, 5 dispensaries, 2 orphanages, and 2 homes for the elderly. There are 70 elementary schools, 22 middle schools, and 17 secondary schools. The colour-bar requires churches and schools to be provided for the various races. Pious associations and Catholic Action organizations are numerous.