VISIT THE VICARIATES
The Diocese of the Caroline Islands was officially
established February 2, 1980. Covering a geographical area as large
as the continental United States with a combined land mass only as large
as the State of Rhode Island, the Diocese includes the Federated States
of Micronesia: Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap, with a combined
land area of 271 sq. mi. (702 sq. km.) and a population of 122,950 (1995
estimate), and the Republic of Belau (Palau), with a land area of 285
sq. mi. (458 sq. km.), population 16,500 (1994). Each of these island
nations and states have their own unique languages and cultures. Such
large geographical and cultural diversity makes it difficult for a bishop
to meet their unique pastoral needs.
Given the special nature of our Diocese, with its
great distances from one section to another, its diversity of languages,
of cultures, of history, and its varying levels of development, the
real place where "ownership" must happen is on the Vicariate
level. That is the level on which the faithful see the Church alive
and working. Parishes feel themselves as
part of something larger, something more "catholic". The Vicariate
is where they see a local Church realized. Unfortunately, but for obvious
reasons, for many people the "Diocese" is only a name, not
something they see and feel, except for the few days each year when
the Bishop is with them. We are one Diocese, one Church:
VICARIATE OF CHUUK
- Catholic Population: 30, 916
Vicar: Fr. Edmund Ludwick
P.O. Box 202
Chuuk, FM 96942
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: (691) 330-2672; Fax: (691) 330-4394
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VICARIATE OF POHNPEI-KOSRAE
- Catholic Population: 18, 525
Vicar: Fr. David Andrus, S.J.
P.O. Box 160
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: (691) 320-4661; Fax: (691) 320-5876
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VICARIATE OF PALAU
- Catholic Population: 9,395
Vicar:
Fr. Rusk Saburo
P.O. Box 128
Palau, PW 96940
Republic of Palau
Phone: (680) 488-1819; Fax: (680) 488-1725
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VICARIATE OF YAP - Catholic
Population: 10,143
Vicar:
Fr. John Hagileiram, S.J.
P.O. Box A
Yap, FM 96943
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: (691) 350-2265; Fax: (691) 350-4746
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