Catholic Church in Tonga
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Lapaha
.The Catholic Church in Bishop of Rome. It is estimated that approximately 16% of the population of the Pacific island Kingdom are Catholic, being 15,767 in 2004.[1]1 Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi succeeded as Bishop of Tonga in 2008.[2]
History
Prior to the arrival of European sailors and missionaries, the islands of Tonga practised an
Niué.[4] In 1937 the Vicariate Apostolic of Tonga Islands was created and in 1957 it became the Vicariate Apostolic of Tonga Islands and Niue and in 1966 the region became the Diocese of Tonga.[1]
The conversion to Christianity of King
Sydney, Australia.[5]
There is no official state religion in Tonga, but around 63% of Tongans are Christian, including around 48% Protestant and 15% Catholic. There is also 18% American Mormon sect. The constitution declared
Sabbath a holy day and the law restricts activities on Sundays.[6][7] The Catholic Church in Tonga has accepted and included Tongan culture
.
As in other countries, the Catholic Church runs schooling and social services in Tonga.cardinal at a Papal consistory to be held on 14 February 2015.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Diocese of Tonga". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "Polynesian culture | History, People, Religion, Traditions, & Facts".
- ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Vicariate Apostolic of Central Oceania".
- ^ "Oceania Plans Bigger Turnout for Youth Day '08". Zenit News Agency. September 8, 2006. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
- ^ "Tongan Culture and Customs". Archived from the original on 2010-07-20. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
- ^ "The Kingdom of Tonga". Archived from the original on 2010-04-29. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
- ^ "Apifoou.com is an internet community for all Catholic Schools in Tonga and its Ex-students! - Home". Archived from the original on 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
- ^ Christopher Lamb, "Red hats for a global Church", The Tablet, 8 January 2014 (Retrieved 15 January 2015)