Diocese of Kavieng

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Bishop(s) Ambrose Kiapseni, M.S.C., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 15 November 1966 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Rabaul Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Papua New Guinea Square Kilometers: 23,000 (8,883 Square Miles) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 49, Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea Telephone: 98.42.055 Fax: 98.42.065

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Kavieng
  • Latin Name: Kaviengensis
  • Erected: 5 July 1957
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Papua New Guinea

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Alfred Matthew Stemper, M.S.C. † (5 Jul 1957 Appointed - 24 Oct 1980 Resigned)
• Karl Hesse, M.S.C. (24 Oct 1980 Appointed - 7 Jul 1990 Appointed, Archbishop of Rabaul)
• Ambrose Kiapseni, M.S.C. (21 Jan 1991 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Kavieng
5 July 1957	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Rabaul	Vicariate Apostolic of Kavieng (erected)
Diocese of Kavieng
15 November 1966	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Kavieng	Diocese of Kavieng

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Kavieng
1970	33,144	81,000	40.9%		24	24	1,381		33	24		ap1971
1980	42,455	89,000	47.7%	3	21	24	1,768		37	28		ap1981
1990	57,382	118,682	48.3%	5	15	20	2,869		24	29	19	ap1991
1999	68,940	143,000	48.2%	11	12	23	2,997		22	25	18	ap2000
2000	65,784	145,000	45.4%	13	8	21	3,132		14	20	22	ap2001
2001	66,500	159,000	41.8%	13	8	21	3,166		15	35	22	ap2002
2002	67,500	167,000	40.4%	11	8	19	3,552		16	29	18	ap2003
2003	70,000	170,000	41.2%	12	4	16	4,375		10	29	18	ap2004
2004	79,000	180,000	43.9%	13	7	20	3,950		17	21	18	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops

• Karl Hesse, M.S.C. (Bishop: 24 Oct 1980 to 7 Jul 1990)
• Ambrose Kiapseni, M.S.C. (Bishop: 21 Jan 1991 - )
• Alfred Matthew Stemper, M.S.C. † (Vicar Apostolic: 5 Jul 1957; Bishop: 15 Nov 1966 to 24 Oct 1980)