NORTHERN SOLOMONS, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of the ISLANDS. - It comprises the islands of Bougainville, Choiseul, Shortland, and Buka, together with the few adjacent islets.
The apostolic prefecture of the German Solomon Islands was erected on 23 May 1898, separating the islands of Bougainville and Buka from the apostolic vicariate of New Pomerania (now the apostolic vicariate of Rabaul [v.]). For three years it was administered by the apostolic vicar of the Navigator Islands Archipelago. It received its present designation on 21 Jan. 1904 and was raised to an apostolic vicariate on 31 May 1930. Entrusted to the Fathers of the Society of Mary.
The area of the islands is approximately 20,000 sq. km., with a population of approximately 49,425, of whom 30,773 are Catholics, 4,042 catechumens, 9,954 Protestants, 4,631 pagans; 31 missionaries, including 2 natives, 7 brothers, 38 sisters, and 539 catechists. Primary stations 24, secondary stations 20. Elementary schools 24, middle schools 18, higher schools 2, vocational and teacher-training schools 1. Hospitals 9, dispensaries 22. Catholic life is well organized.