ENG-1949 — Page 162

Hong Kong forms part of the Diocese of Hong Kong and South China. The hundredth anniversary of the consecration of the first Bishop of Hong Kong on 29th May, 1849, was observed on Whitsunday and a centenary history of the Diocese, the first complete history based on first hand documents, was written by Mr. G. B. Endacott, M.A., B. Litt. and Mrs. D. E. She, M.A. to commemorate the event. The building which is now St. John's Cathedral was built in 1847 and was established as a Cathedral Church by Letters Patent from Queen Victoria in 1850. The building was extensively damaged during the Japanese occupation but restoration has now progressed a long way and a British electronic organ has been installed which it is hoped will stand up to the vagaries of the local climate. Centenary funds both for the Diocese and for the Cathedral have been opened and have met with considerable success.

The large numbers of the armed Services stationed in Hong Kong have increased the congregations of the various Anglican churches. A social settlement type of club has been started in Wanchai and the number of Anglican elementary day schools has been slightly increased.

The Roman Catholic Church in Hong Kong was originally under the administration of a Missionary with the ecclesiastical title of Prefect Apostolic. In 1874, as a result of the increasing number of adherents to the Roman Catholic faith, a Bishop was appointed to the territory with the title of Vicar Apostolic and in 1946 the status of the Roman Catholic Church was raised to that of a diocese. This diocese extends into China and covers in all an area with an estimated population of about 4 million. Within the Colony rather more than 40,000 have either been baptized or are under instruction for baptism.

Within the Colony there are twelve parishes with public churches, while twenty-six chapels are established in different villages of the New Territories. The Church is staffed by 59 priests engaged in parochial work and an additional 105 priests from eight different religious orders occupied with the administration of schools and colleges. Lay Brothers engaged in educational work number thirty- three. There are moreover almost four hundred nuns belonging to Religious Orders who are engaged in philan- thropic and educational works in hospitals, schools, and homes for orphans, blind girls and crippled and aged people. Ninety four schools with a total enrollment of 8,000 boys and 9,000 girls are run by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Free Churches, although heavily damaged during the Japanese occupation are recovering from the effects of the war and the restoration of the Church halls of the

126