RABAUL, Apostolic Vicariate of.
To the northeast of New Guinea. It originated on 10 May 1889 from the Apostolic Vicariate of Melanesia, which was divided into the Apostolic Vicariate of New Guinea (v. PORT-MORESBY) and the Apostolic Vicariate of New Britain, which on 8 December 1890 was renamed the Apostolic Vicariate of New Pomerania and on 14 November 1922 became the Apostolic Vicariate of R. From it were detached on 24 February 1896 the Apostolic Prefecture of German New Guinea, on 17 July 1897 the Apostolic Prefecture of the British Solomon Islands, and on 23 May 1898 the Apostolic Prefecture of the German Solomon Islands.
The first missionaries arrived at Matupis on 29 September 1882. The territory comprises the islands of New Britain, New Ireland, the Admiralty Islands, and others nearby. The customs of the indigenous people, who migrated from the surrounding islands, leave much to be desired. About 75 languages and dialects are spoken there. Useful are the two lingua francas, “Tok Pisin” and “Pidgen English.”
The islands have an area of about 45,000 sq. km. with a population of about 150,000 inhabitants, of whom 63,372 are Catholic, 2,967 catechumens, 50,000 Protestants, and 37 pagans. There are 58 missionaries, 45 brothers, and 120 sisters. There are 870 elementary schools, 7 secondary schools, and 7 higher schools. Two periodicals are printed there. Catholic Action is well organized in the 45 main stations and 452 secondary ones.