A. Catholic Population
| |
 |
|
| Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Qionghai |
The population of Hainan province is 8.45 million at the end of 2007. According to Catholic sources in May 2009, the diocese has about 4,000 Catholics representing 0.04 percent of the total population. There are six churches in the diocesan territory. Two church premises have been under construction recently. But according to government statistics, the Catholic population is merely more than 1,000 with eight registered church premises.
On average, there are 8 to 10 new Catholics baptized in the Church each year.
Population of Protestants are about 40,000, Buddhists 20,000; Taoists 10,000 and Muslims 8000.
The Catholic church in Haikou was reopened on August 15, 1984, the Assumption feast, after reconstruction. The former cathedral and seminary have been demolished.
|
| |
People in the Diocese
Baptized Catholics: about 4,000, or 0.04%
Members of other Christian denominations (Protestants, approximate): 40,000, or 0.47%
Followers of other religions (mostly Buddhists): 38,000, or 0.44%
|
B. Diocesan and Religious Priests
| |
Diocesan Priests: 1
Religious Priests: 0
|
C. Religious Brothers, Sisters
| |
Religious Brothers: 0
Religious Sisters: 3
|
D. There are 6 churches in the diocesan territory
| |
Sacred Heart Church, Haikou, Hainan, China
Sacred Heart Church under construction, Haikou, Hainan, China
St. Michael's Church, Ding'an, Hainan, China
St. Teresa's Church, Ding'an, Hainan China
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wenchang, Hainan, China
Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Qionghai, Hainan, China
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Sacred Heart Church, Haikou, under construction |
|
|
| St. Michael's Church, Ding'an |
|
Diocesan Activities and Organizations
A. Major Diocesan Organizations
| |
Hainan Provincial Catholic Patriotic Association
Church Affairs Commission
|
 |
|
 |
|
| St. Teresa's Church, Ding'an |
|
|
| Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wenchang |
|
| General Characteristics of the Diocese
Hainan province is located in the southern most of China. The main island is 3.39 square kilometers in area. The main ethnic groups are Han, Li, Miao and Hui, which have lived in the place for generations.
Haikou in the north is the provincial capital while Sanya in the south is the most famous resort area in the island. Since 2001, the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia has also made Boao in the eastern coastal Qionghai city a well-known place for many.
St. Teresa's Church in Ding'an county is the oldest church on the island. It was built in 1892 by the French missionaries. It is now becoming an attraction to foreign and local visitors to make pilgrimage there each year.
Apostolic prefecture of Hainan
Detached from Apostolic Vicariate of Pakhoi (Beihai) in April 1929
Functions as Mission Independent 1929-1936
Remains apostolic prefecture since 1946
According to the papal year book Annuario Pontificio 2006, Hainan is listed as apostolic prefecture. Chinese government has named it a diocese.
< Last updated on: June 4, 2009 >
|
|
