PORT MORESBY, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — Situated in Australian New Guinea (Papussia). On 19 July 1844, the apostolic vicariate of Western Oceania was divided into the two vicariates of Melanesia and Micronesia; in practice, however, the apostolic vicariate of Micronesia was always administered by the apostolic vicariate of Melanesia, entrusted to the missionaries of the Society of Mary.
On 15 September 1847 they set foot on Woodlark Island; the Fathers almost all died of fever, and in 1852 they ceded it to the missionaries of the Seminary for Foreign Missions of Milan, who abandoned it in 1855, after the death of Fr. Mazzucconi. In 1884 the mission was entrusted to the Fathers of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who settled on Thursday Island. The following year Fr. Enrico Verjus entered Papussia. On 10 May 1889, the apostolic vicariate of Melanesia was divided into the two vicariates of New Britain (v. RABAUL) and New Guinea. The latter comprised English New Guinea or Papussia and German New Guinea, which on 4 December 1890 was annexed to the apostolic vicariate of New Britain. On 14 November 1922, the apostolic vicariate of New Guinea was given the name of Papussia. On 13 June 1946, its eastern zone was detached from it to form the apostolic prefecture of Samarai, and the apostolic vicariate was given the name of P. M. The last world war severely affected the mission, which has an area of approximately 184,000 sq. km. The climate is tropical and unhealthy, especially in the lowlands.
The territory is governed by Australia. The inhabitants number approximately 220,000, of whom approximately 5,000 are Europeans, 2,000 Eurasians, and the remainder indigenous. Catholics number 24,595. The Protestants belong to various denominations.
There are 47 missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, assisted by 1 from the diocesan clergy, 29 brothers, 13 of them indigenous, 103 sisters, 14 of them indigenous, and 378 catechists. There are 11 districts, 4 quasi-parishes, 13 primary stations, 116 secondary stations, 13 churches, and 106 chapels; 2 hospitals, 16 dispensaries, and 14 orphanages. There are 62 elementary schools, 31 middle schools, 7 vocational schools, and 1 teacher-training school. A printing press publishes two periodicals in 250 copies.