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Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei

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Catholic missionary jurisdiction

Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei
Apostolicus Vicariatus Bruneiensis
Vikariat Kerasulan Brunei
The Vicariate Logo
Location
Country Brunei
Ecclesiastical provinceImmediate subject to Holy See
Statistics
Area5,800 km (2,200 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2010)
398,000
21,000
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
Secular priests3
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
Apostolic Vicarsede vacante
Apostolic AdministratorRobert Leong
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, namely Francesco de Santa Maria and Miguel Juan de Plasencia. 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. Until 1936, when a church was established in Kuala Belait, the vicariate primarily was an outstation of Our Blessed Sacrament Parish in Labuan. 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. 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.

Administration

The vicariate is a territory under the ecclesiastical authority of an apostolic vicar, who sits on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Additionally, the vicariate is represented diplomatically by the Holy See through the Apostolic Delegation to Brunei Darussalam. The papal delegate to Brunei is resident in the Holy See's diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur.

Similarly, for canon law matters, the vicariate is served by the tribunal of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

The vicariate has historically been administered pastorally through commissions responsible for different aspects of church corporate life. The commissions are directed by appointed clergy, and see representation from the parishes. The role of these commissions is to foster a more aligned vision and direction among the parishes in the various aspects of church governance.

Parishes

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

The vicariate consists of three parishes, all located in major cities or towns. The parishes are:

There are three diocesan priests. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vicariate introduced livestreaming of Mass for the faithful to participate in a virtual capacity during lockdown measures.

Social Ministry

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is active in the vicariate, where they gather monetary and physical aid and distribute to those in need.

Education

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

  • St. George's School in Bandar Seri Begawan
  • St. John's School in Kuala Belait
  • St. Angela's Convent School in Seria (former all-girls school, coeducational as of 2007)

St. Michael's School in Seria was a former all-boys school, officially closed down as of 2006.

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.

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. Leong, Robert (26 June 2021). "Diocesan Administrator for Brunei". Herald Malaysia. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  2. "VARIAZIONI ALL'ANNUARIO PONTIFICIO 2022 – N. 6". 23 April 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. Gonsalves, Antonio Anup (3 November 2013). "Despite small size, Church in Brunei has 'lively' faith". CNA. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  4. "Milestones in the Brunei church history (pg. 6)" (PDF). Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei. 26 October 2020. p. 6. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  5. ^ Milestones of the Church in Brunei, Apostolic Vicariate in Brunei Darussalam, 29 January 2023, archived from the original on 6 December 2022, retrieved 29 January 2023
  6. "Milestones in the Brunei church history" (PDF). Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei. 26 October 2020. pp. 7 and 9. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  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. 45. ProQuest 2176892200. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  8. 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.
  9. ^ "PRAEFECTURA APOSTOLICA BRUNEIENSIS CONSTITUITUR" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 21 November 1997. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  10. "IN BRUNEIO DARUSSALAM NOVUS CONDITUR VICARIATUS APOSTOLICUM BRUNEIENSIS" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 20 October 2004. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  11. "His Excellency Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski appointed as new Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia". Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  12. "Archdiocesan Curia". Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  13. Seat of the Vicariate, Apostolic Vicariate in Brunei Darussalam, 29 January 2023, archived from the original on 6 December 2022, retrieved 29 January 2023
  14. "Historic moment for Church in Brunei as first bishop is ordained". AsiaNews. 14 February 2005.
  15. "Cardinal Sim: Brunei Church has something to share with older Churches". Vatican News. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022.
  16. "New Brunei cardinal runs diocese with only three priests". Herald Malaysia. 5 June 2021.
  17. "Live-streaming of mass amid coronavirus outbreak". Borneo Bulletin. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  18. "随着汶莱疫情蔓延". 汶萊 星洲日報 Sin Chew Daily Brunei. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  19. "International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Where are we?". SSVP Global.
  20. 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.
  21. "The Roman Catholic Church in Brunei" (PDF). Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam. 26 October 2020. p. 26. Retrieved 23 November 2020.

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