RABAUL, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - North-east of New Guinea. It originated on 10 May 1889 from the apostolic vicariate of Melanesia, divided into the apostolic vicariate of New Guinea (v. PORT-MORESBY) and the apostolic vicariate of New Britain, which on 8 Dec. 1890 was called the apostolic vicariate of New Pomerania and on 14 Nov. 1922 became the apostolic vicariate of R. From it were detached: on 24 Feb. 1896 the apostolic prefecture of Kaiser-Wilhelmsland; 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 Sept. 1882. The territory comprises the islands of New Britain, New Ireland, the Admiralty Islands, and the other neighbouring islands. The customs of the natives, immigrants from the surrounding islands, leave much to be desired. About 75 languages and dialects are spoken there. The two lingua francas, « Tok Pissin » and « Pidgen English », are useful.
The islands have an area of about 45,000 sq. km., with a population of about 150,000 inhabitants, of whom 63,372 are Catholics, 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 principal and 452 secondary stations.