Diocese Of Port-Vila
History
The first Catholic mission in Vanuatu was started in 1887 at Mele on Efate, by the Marist Father Le Forestier, three other Marist priests and a brother. The greatest growth of Catholic converts took place in the north, where the French influence was strong. This was especially true in Espiritu Santo and Malekula.
In 1901 it was first erected as the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides, with Victor Douceré as apostolic prefect. In 1904 it became a Vicariate Apostolic. In 1966, it was elevated as the Diocese of Port-Vila.
Tropical Cyclone Pam, of March 2015, was the second most intense tropical cyclone of the south Pacific Ocean in terms of sustained winds and is regarded as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Vanuatu. Bishop John Bosco Baremes worked with the Diocesan Disaster Committee and Caritas to identify and address key needs such as shelter, food, clean water, and protection of the poor and vulnerable.
Ordinaries
- Isidore-Marie-Victor Douceré (1901–1939)
- Jules Halbert (1939–1954)
- Louis-Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Julliard (1955–1976)
- Francis-Roland Lambert (1976–1996)
- Michel Visi (1996 – May 19, 2007)
- Jean Bosco Baremes (November 18, 2009 – present)
See also
References
- ^ "Vanuatu". Oceania Marist Province/Province Mariste d'Océanie. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ^ "Douceré, Right Reverend Victor Isidore-Marie S.M.", The Catholic Encyclopedia and Its Makers, New York, the Encyclopedia Press, 1917, p. 46 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Joshua Robertson (15 March 2015). "Cyclone Pam: Vanuatu awaits first wave of relief and news from worst-hit islands". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ^ Scullion, Annette. "Vanuatu rising again: Hope shines forth", WelCom, Wellington and Palmerston North Dioceses, March 30, 2015
External links and references
- Pacific News: Vanuatu Bishop Michel Visi Dies Aged 52
- "Diocese of Port-Vila". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
17°44′05″S 168°19′19″E / 17.73472°S 168.32194°E