Roman Catholic Diocese of Caroline Islands
Encyclopedia
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Roman
Roman Catholic (term)
The term Roman Catholic appeared in the English language at the beginning of the 17th century, to differentiate specific groups of Christians in communion with the Pope from others; comparable terms in other languages already existed...
Catholic Church in the Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia or FSM is an independent, sovereign island nation, made up of four states from west to east: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. It comprises approximately 607 islands with c...
and in the Republic of Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
. It is a suffragan diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of Agaña
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agaña
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agaña is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It comprises the overseas dependency of Guam. The prelate is an archbishop which pastors the mother church, Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.-History:The...
. The Diocese of Caroline Islands
Caroline Islands
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end...
is led by a bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
who pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
s the mother church
Mother Church
In Christianity, the term mother church or Mother Church may have one of the following meanings:# The first mission church in an area, or a pioneer cathedral# A basilica or cathedral# The main chapel of a province of a religious order...
, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Established on December 19, 1905, as the Prefecture Apostolic of Caroline Islands, it became the Vicariate Apostolic of Marianne and Caroline Islands on March 1, 1911. It grew to become the Vicariate Apostolic of Marianne, Caroline, and Marshall Islands on May 4, 1923. It changed its name to become the Vicariate Apostolic of Caroline and Marshall Islands on July 4, 1946 before being elevated to become the Diocese Carolines-Marshalls on May 3, 1979. The diocese was split on April 23, 1993 by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, resulting in the creation of the present-day Diocese of Caroline Islands and the Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands
Roman Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands
The Roman Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands is an ecclesiastical territory below the rank of diocese, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The prefecture is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Province of Agaña...
.
Ordinaries
- Salvador-Pierre Walleser (1912–1919)
- Vacant (1920–1922)
- Santiago López de Rego y Labarta S.J. (1923–1938)
- Vacant (1939–1945)
- Vincent Ignatius Kennally S.J. (1946–1971)
- Martin Joseph Neylon S.J. (1971–1995)
- Amando Samo (1995 - )
Ecclesiastical province
- See: List of the Catholic bishops of the United States#Province of Agaña