Rabat, Apostolic Vicariate of

RABAT, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — It was erected on 2 July 1923 by division of the Apostolic Vicariate of Morocco (v. Evangelizzazione) and comprises the entire French zone. It is entrusted to the Franciscans.

It has an area of 415,000 sq. km., with a population of approximately 8,764,300, of whom 365,000 are Catholics, 100,000 Jews, and 8,000,000 Muslims. The missionaries number 227, the brothers 39, and the sisters 523. Major seminary with 61 students and minor seminary with 37 students. Catechists 605. Parishes 19, primary stations 38, secondary stations 180. Elementary schools 12, secondary schools 15, orphanages 14. The apostolate is particularly difficult because of the shortage of personnel and the Muslim environment.