TheCatholic Church inTonga is part of the worldwideCatholic Church under the leadership ofits local bishop in communion with theBishop 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 BishopSoane Patita Paini Mafi succeeded as Bishop of Tonga in 2008.[2]
Prior to the arrival of European sailors and missionaries, the islands of Tonga practised ananimisticPolynesian religion.[3] Responsibility for Oceania was given by the Catholic Church to theSociety of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1825; but the territory was judged to be too large, and the western portion was formed into avicariate Apostolic and given to theSociety of Mary in 1836, with MgrJean Baptiste Pompallier (1807–1871) appointedvicar Apostolic of Western Oceania. In 1842, the vicariate Apostolic of Central Oceania was created comprisingNew Caledonia, Tonga,Samoa, andFiji. A later subdivision, reduced the vicariate to include only Tonga, theWallis Islands,Futuna, andNiué.[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 theDiocese of Tonga.[1]
The conversion to Christianity of KingGeorge Tupou I, who was the political architect of modern Tonga, had a great influence on the religious life of thePolynesian nation. Of note, the last of theTu'i Tonga line of Tongan Kings was Catholic. This is cited as being the reason that Lapaha inMu'a, the former capital of theTu'i Tongan Empire, is Catholic in contrast to neighbouring Tatakamotonga, which is predominantlyMethodist. Tonga sent a delegation of young people for the first time toWorld Youth Day 2008 when it was held inSydney, 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 declaredSabbath a holy day and the law restricts activities on Sundays.[6][7] The Catholic Church in Tonga has accepted and includedTongan culture.
As in other countries, the Catholic Church runs schooling and social services in Tonga.[8] On 4 January 2015,Pope Francis announced his intention to appoint the present Bishop of TongaSoane Patita Paini Mafi as acardinal at aPapal consistory to be held on 14 February 2015.[9]
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