Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei

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Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei

Apostolicus Vicariatus Bruneiensis

Kerasulan Vicariate Brunei
Vicariate-Crest.png
The Vicariate Logo
Location
Country Brunei
Ecclesiastical provinceBrunei Darussalam
Statistics
Area5,800 km2 (2,200 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics (including non-members)		(as of 2010)
398,000
18,773 (4.7%)
Parishes3
Information
DenominationRoman Catholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
Established21 November 1997 (as Apostolic Prefecture of Brunei)
20 October 2004 (as Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei)
CathedralOur Lady of the Assumption
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
Apostolic Vicarsede vacante
Vicar GeneralMgr
Website
Website of the Apostolic Vicariate

The Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam (Latin: Vicariatus Apostolicus Bruneiensis) is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction covering the territory of Brunei and headed by an apostolic vicar. The first apostolic vicar was Cornelius Sim, who was created a cardinal in 2020 and died in May 2021.

History[]

The earliest mission to Brunei was conducted by Spanish Franciscan priests in 1587,[1] namely Francesco de Santa Maria and Miguel Juan de Plasencia.[2] These Spanish missionaries who were residing in the Philippines came to Brunei before they baptised the Kadazans in Sabah. The roots in the ministry then continued by Missionary Society of St. Joseph (Mill Hill Missionaries). Throughout the years, the local Church was administered by various ecclesiastical jurisdictions centred in Labuan, Jesselton, Kuching and Miri, cities in neighbouring Malaysia.

The earliest record on the vicariate territory dates to 1885, when Brunei was included in the Apostolic Prefecture of Northern Borneo, and formally included in 1927.[3] Until 1936, when a church was established in Kuala Belait, the vicariate primarily was an outstation of Our Blessed Sacrament Parish in Labuan.[4] On 14 February 1952, the Holy See carved out the territory of the current vicariate from that of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jesselton, then transferred the territory to the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuching.[5] The separation of Bruneian territory formerly under the Diocese of Miri-Brunei (now simply known as the Diocese of Miri) created a distinct Bruneian church. This territory was designated as an apostolic prefecture in November 1997, headed by Monsignor Cornelius Sim, at the time the Vicar General of Miri-Brunei, and a Bruneian priest, as its first apostolic prefect. On 22 February 1998, the Apostolic Prefecture of Brunei Darussalam came into being with the proclamation of the papal bull to the faithful and the installation of the apostolic prefect. On 20 October 2004, less than seven years after it was formed, the apostolic prefecture was elevated to an apostolic vicariate. Msgr. Sim was appointed the first apostolic vicar, carrying the dignity of a titular bishop: his episcopal ordination took place in January 2005.


Parishes[]

It is estimated that there are around 21,000 Roman Catholics in Brunei.[6] The majority are expatriate Filipinos; others are Chinese, South Asian or indigenous people.

The vicariate consists of 3 parishes, all located in major towns. The parishes are:

There are three diocesan priests.

Education[]

There are 3 schools under the ownership and management of the vicariate, all providing elementary and high school education. All the schools are coeducational.

The schools are not subsidised or aided by the government, and are thus run on a full fee-paying basis. These schools were initially subsidised by the government until 1 January 1960, after which the government announced the decision on June 1959 followed by opinion from Brunei Muslim pressure group before June 1959.[7][8]

As the government does not allow catechism lessons during school hours or on school premises, separate catechism lessons are given on Sundays and Fridays.

References[]

  1. ^ Gonsalves, Antonio Anup (3 November 2013). "Despite small size, Church in Brunei has 'lively' faith". CNA. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Milestones in the Brunei church history" (PDF). Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei. 26 October 2020. p. 6. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Milestones in the Brunei church history" (PDF). Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei. 26 October 2020. pp. 7 and 9. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  4. ^ Rooney, John (June 1981). A History of the Catholic Church in East Malaysia and Brunei (1880-1976) (Ph.D.). SOAS University of London. p. 45. ProQuest 2176892200. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  5. ^ Rooney, John (June 1981). A History of the Catholic Church in East Malaysia and Brunei (1880-1976) (Ph.D.). SOAS University of London. p. 60. ProQuest 2176892200. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Historic moment for Church in Brunei as first bishop is ordained". AsiaNews. 14 February 2005.
  7. ^ Rooney, John (June 1981). A History of the Catholic Church in East Malaysia and Brunei (1880-1976) (Ph.D.). SOAS University of London. p. 133. ProQuest 2176892200. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  8. ^ "The Roman Catholic Church in Brunei" (PDF). Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam. 26 October 2020. p. 26. Retrieved 23 November 2020.

External links[]

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