Bougainville (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Bernard Unabali, Bishop
Henk Kronenberg, S.M., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 15 November 1966
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Rabaul
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Papua New Guinea
Square Kilometers: 10,660 (4,117 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 85, Buka, North Solomons Province, Papua New Guinea
Telephone: 973.90.44
Fax: 973.90.43

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of German Solomon Islands
- Erected: 23 May 1898
- Country: Papua New Guinea
Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands
- Name Changed: 21 January 1904
- Country: Papua New Guinea
Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands
- Latin Name: Insularum Salomonicarum Septemtrionalium
- Elevated: 31 May 1930
- Vicariate
- Country: Papua New Guinea

Past and Present Ordinaries

Maurice Boch, S.M. † (18 May 1920 Appointed - 9 Jun 1930 Resigned)
Thomas James Wade, S.M. † (3 Jul 1930 Appointed - 14 Jun 1960 Resigned)
Leo Lemay, S.M. † (14 Jun 1960 Appointed - 1 Jul 1974 Resigned)
Gregory Singkai † (1 Jul 1974 Appointed - 12 Sep 1996 Died)
Henk Kronenberg, S.M. (19 Apr 1999 Appointed - 15 Dec 2009 Retired)
Bernard Unabali (15 Dec 2009 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of German Solomon Islands
23 May 1898	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of New Pomerania	Prefecture Apostolic of German Solomon Islands (erected)
Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands
21 January 1904	Name Changed	Prefecture Apostolic of German Solomon Islands	Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands
Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands
31 May 1930	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands	Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands
11 June 1959	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Solomon Islands	Vicariate Apostolic of Western Solomon Islands (erected)
Diocese of Bougainville
15 November 1966	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Solomon Islands	Diocese of Bougainville

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Diocese of Bougainville

1970 60,585 78,800 76.9% 5 31 36 1,682 69 95 1 ap1971

1980 84,000 102,850 81.7% 5 26 31 2,709 1 62 90 27 ap1981

1990 124,000 131,800 94.1% 8 25 33 3,757 60 62 ap1991*

1999 135,100 175,000 77.2% 10 10 20 6,755 25 37 32 ap2000

2000 160,000 190,000 84.2% 10 14 24 6,666 19 36 31 ap2001

2001 165,069 196,000 84.2% 10 13 23 7,176 33 39 31 ap2002

2002 145,380 175,600 82.8% 14 11 25 5,815 40 45 31 ap2003

2003 146,475 177,200 82.7% 14 9 23 6,368 36 44 32 ap2004

2004 147,350 180,000 81.9% 15 8 23 6,406 22 46 32 ap2005

2006 149,200 183,500 81.3% 10 14 24 6,216 30 48 31 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Bougainville
1970	60,585	78,800	76.9%	5	31	36	1,682		69	95	1	ap1971
1980	84,000	102,850	81.7%	5	26	31	2,709	1	62	90	27	ap1981
1990	124,000	131,800	94.1%	8	25	33	3,757		60	62		ap1991*
1999	135,100	175,000	77.2%	10	10	20	6,755		25	37	32	ap2000
2000	160,000	190,000	84.2%	10	14	24	6,666		19	36	31	ap2001
2001	165,069	196,000	84.2%	10	13	23	7,176		33	39	31	ap2002
2002	145,380	175,600	82.8%	14	11	25	5,815		40	45	31	ap2003
2003	146,475	177,200	82.7%	14	9	23	6,368		36	44	32	ap2004
2004	147,350	180,000	81.9%	15	8	23	6,406		22	46	32	ap2005
2006	149,200	183,500	81.3%	10	14	24	6,216		30	48	31	ap2007

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Maurice Boch, S.M. † (Prefect: 18 May 1920 to 9 Jun 1930)
Giuseppe Forestier, S.M. †
Peter Kurongku † (Priest: 21 Dec 1966 to 15 Nov 1978)
Leo Lemay, S.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 14 Jun 1960; Bishop: 15 Nov 1966 to 1 Jul 1974)
Gregory Singkai † (Priest: 17 Dec 1966; Bishop: 1 Jul 1974 to 12 Sep 1996)
Thomas James Wade, S.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 3 Jul 1930 to 14 Jun 1960)

Diocese of Bougainville

Dioecesis Buganvillensis