SUEZ. - The apostolic vicariate of the canal of S. has, since 27 Jan. 1951, been called the apostolic vicariate of Porto Said, after the name of the city where the vicar resides. The other two vicariates of Egypt also changed their names on the same date: that of Egypt took the name of Alessandria, and that of the Nile Delta the name of Eliopoli.
The territory of the apostolic vicariate of Porto Said formerly formed part of that of Egypt and Arabia, founded on 12 May 1839, from which a separate prefecture of the Nile Delta was detached on 17 March 1884, subsequently erected on 17 Sept. 1909 as the apostolic vicariate of the same name. The latter was divided on 12 July 1926, and one of the two parts received the name of apostolic vicariate of the canal of S. Its territory extends along the canal of the same name from Porto Said to the city of S. and is entrusted to the French Franciscans; it has 6 parishes, 2 of them in Porto Said and the others in Port Fuad, Ismailia, S., and Porto Tewfik. The number of Catholics is 10,800. Twelve Franciscan priests and 2 secular priests work in the parishes. There are 7 boys’ schools and 10 girls’ schools, directed respectively by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Other religious congregations also work there. The “Work of the Copts” concerns itself with the numerous and extremely poor Copts who have recently immigrated, among whom there are several hundred Catholics.