RELIGION
249
there were 59 Churches of 150 members and over in Hong Kong and Kowloon. No fewer than 13 of these (11 non- Anglican) had a membership of more than 1,000, and some of them a not inconsiderable history of work in the Colony. There is in addition a considerable number of smaller Chur- ches, preaching-places and congregations in the rural areas. All sects are showing great vitality and enterprise with new Church and school buildings going up all the time, as well as Social Service Centres, Clinics, and a few institutions of Higher Learning. Of particular note is the co-operation and united work which are being developed through the Chinese Churches' Union and the more recently-formed Hong Kong Christian Council, on which are also represented the English-speaking Churches, the Salvation Army and the Adventist body.
The Roman Catholic Church, established in 1841, was until 1874 administered by a Prefect Apostolic. In that year a Bishop was appointed with the title of Vicar Apostolic, and in 1946 the status of the Church was raised to that of a Diocese, extending into China (Hoifung - Po On - Wai Yeung Districts). The Diocese, is entrusted to the Foreign Mission Society of Milan (P.I.M.E.).
There are 12 Roman Catholic Parishes with churches on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and about thirty churches and chapels in different parts of the New Territories. The Church administers 135 schools situated in 69 buildings- some with an English programme of studies, others with a Chinese curriculum. As a result of the extensions of existing buildings and the opening of new ones during 1956, the total number of pupils in Catholic schools is now 47,908. The most recent estimate of the Catholic population in the Diocese (30th June, 1956) is 89,537. During 1956 8 new schools and Churches were opened in the Colony, and 4 existing build- ings were enlarged.
The work of the Roman Catholic Church is carried on by 400 priests of many nationalities, some engaged in parish