Diocese of Tonga

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Central Oceania
  • Erected: 23 August 1842
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Tonga
  • Region: Pacific (Oceania)
  • Description: comprising New Caledonia, the Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji Islands

• Vicariate Apostolic of Tonga Islands {Isole Tonga}
  • Latin Name: Insularum Tonga
  • Name Changed: 13 April 1937
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Tonga
  • Region: Pacific (Oceania)

• Vicariate Apostolic of Tonga and Niue Islands
  • Latin Name: Insularum Tonga et Nieu
  • Name Changed: 22 March 1957
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Tonga
  • Region: Pacific (Oceania)

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Pierre Maria Bataillon, S.M. † (23 Aug 1842 Appointed - 1863 Resigned)
• Aloys Elloy, S.M. † (11 Apr 1877 Succeeded - 22 Nov 1878 Died)
• Jean-Amand Lamaze, S.M. † (23 May 1879 Appointed - 9 Sep 1906 Died)
• Armand Olier, S.M. † (9 Sep 1906 Succeeded - 17 Sep 1911 Died)
• Joseph Félix Blanc, S.M. † (17 Feb 1912 Appointed - 1953 Retired)
• John Hubert Macey Rodgers, S.M. † (29 Jun 1953 Appointed - 7 Apr 1972 Appointed, Titular Bishop of Caput Cilla)
• Patelisio Punou-Ki-Hihifo Finau, S.M. † (7 Apr 1972 Succeeded - 4 Oct 1993 Died)
• Soane Lilo Foliaki, S.M. † (10 Jun 1994 Appointed - 18 Apr 2008 Retired)
• Soane Patita Paini Mafi (18 Apr 2008 Succeeded - )

Historical Summary

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Tonga Islands {Isole Tonga}
1950	6,388	32,000	20.0%	3	9	12	532		9	38		ap1951
Vicariate Apostolic of Tonga and Niue Islands
Diocese of Tonga
1970	14,488	92,800	15.6%	6	21	27	536		24	82	13	ap1971
1980	14,936	90,072	16.6%	9	16	25	597		32	39	13	ap1981
1990	12,637	92,365	13.7%	14	9	23	549		33	51	13	ap1991
1999	15,539	97,446	15.9%	10	9	19	817		20	48	13	ap2000
2000	15,539	97,446	15.9%	10	9	19	817		25	51	13	ap2001
2001	15,339	97,446	15.7%	13	9	22	697		27	43	13	ap2002
2002	15,799	97,926	16.1%	13	10	23	686		26	44	11	ap2003
2003	15,767	97,894	16.1%	14	8	22	716		28	40	13	ap2004
2004	15,767	97,894	16.1%	18	9	27	583		26	47	13	ap2005
2010	13,367	103,391	12.9%	29	9	38	351		15	41	14	ap2011
2014	14,332	103,391	13.9%	19	12	31	462		20	39	14	ap2015
2017	14,691	103,398	14.2%	17	9	26	565		15	47	14	ap2018
2020	12,297	102,275	12.0%	28	11	39	315		14	33	15	ap2021
2022	12,520	101,833	12.3%	32	11	43	291	3	14	35	15	ap2023

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Soane Patita Paini Mafi (Priest: 29 Jun 1991; Coadjutor Bishop: 28 Jun 2007; Bishop: 18 Apr 2008 - )

  ---

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Pierre Maria Bataillon, S.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 23 Aug 1842 to 1863)
• Joseph Félix Blanc, S.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 17 Feb 1912 to 1953)
• Guillaume Marie Douarre, S.M. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 23 Aug 1842 to 13 Jul 1847)
• Aloys Elloy, S.M. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 11 Aug 1863; Vicar Apostolic: 11 Apr 1877 to 22 Nov 1878)
• Patelisio Punou-Ki-Hihifo Finau, S.M. † (Coadjutor Bishop: 15 Oct 1971; Bishop: 7 Apr 1972 to 4 Oct 1993)
• Soane Lilo Foliaki, S.M. † (Bishop: 10 Jun 1994 to 18 Apr 2008)
• Jean-Amand Lamaze, S.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 23 May 1879 to 9 Sep 1906)
• Armand Olier, S.M. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 22 Dec 1903; Vicar Apostolic: 9 Sep 1906 to 17 Sep 1911)
• John Hubert Macey Rodgers, S.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 29 Jun 1953; Bishop: 21 Jun 1966 to 7 Apr 1972)

Source(s)

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