WALLIS and FUTUNA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of the ISLANDS of. - It lies between the Fiji and Samoa Islands and comprises the islands of W., F., and Alofi, together with several small islets.
On 1 Nov. 1837 Fr. Bataillon landed there together with Msgr. Pompalier and Fr. Chanel. Having obtained permission to remain, Fr. Bataillon began to learn the language. He and his missionaries, however, had to endure every kind of hardship and severe persecution. On the island of F. Fr. Chanel (v.) was killed on 18 Apr. 1841.
The islands were erected into a vicariate on 11 Nov. 1935, being detached from the apostolic vicariate of Central Oceania (v. TONGA). The population, numbering approximately 8,747 inhabitants, is entirely Catholic, served by 10 Marist missionaries and 7 indigenous priests, 3 brothers, and 53 nuns. There are 10 elementary schools, 2 secondary schools, and various charitable works and pious associations.