{{short description|none}} {{Catholic Church by country}}
The '''Catholic Church in Samoa''' is part of the worldwide [[Catholic Church]], which, initiated by the life, death and resurrection of [[Jesus Christ]], and under the spiritual leadership of the [[Pope]] and [[Roman curia]] in the [[Vatican City]] (within Rome) is the largest [[Christian church]] in the world. Catholic missionaries arrived in [[Samoa]] in 1845 and today Catholics account for around 20% of the overall population. Archbishop [[Alapati Lui Mataeliga]] was ordained as head of the [[Archdiocese]] of Samoa-Apia in 2003.<ref>{{Catholic-hierarchy|bishop|bmatae|Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga|21 January 2015}}</ref>
==Demographics== According to Samoa's 2016 census there were 36,766 Catholics in Samoa, out of a total population of 195,979.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.gov.ws/digi/2016_Census_Brief_No.1.pdf |title=2016 Census Brief No.1 |publisher=Samoa Bureau of Statistics |page=49 |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-date=16 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116061525/https://www.sbs.gov.ws/digi/2016_Census_Brief_No.1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The population of Samoa is about 99% Christian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/WS.htm|title=GCatholic website, ''Catholic Church in Samoa''|access-date=2014-01-24|archive-date=2017-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728161440/http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/WS.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to the [[CIA World Factbook]], in the 2001 census, Catholics accounted for 19.6% of the population, being the second largest [[Christian denomination]] after [[Congregationalist]] at 34.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/samoa/ |title=The World Factbook |access-date=2021-01-24 |archive-date=2021-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028124346/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/samoa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2020 there were 65 priest and 62 nuns serving 60 parishes.<ref>[https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/samao Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08]{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
==History== Prior to the arrival of European visitors, Samoa had a complex [[polytheistic]] religion which also incorporated elements of ancestor worship. The war goddess (Nafanua) had prophesied that there would come a new religion which would end the rule of the old. Christian sailors had been visiting Samoa from the late 18th century, and had been teaching Christianity and some locals had converted.<ref name="samoa.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://www.samoa.co.uk/music%26culture.html|title=Samoa.co.uk|access-date=2010-05-22|archive-date=2018-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002654/http://www.samoa.co.uk/music%26culture.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1830, the [[London Missionary Society]] arrived at [[Sapapalii]]. In 1836 [[Pope Gregory XVI]] commissioned the [[Marist Fathers]] to bring Catholicism to the [[Western Pacific Ocean|Western Pacific]] and missionaries from this French [[religious institute]] arrived in Samoa in 1845.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sm.org.nz/about/nz-province/new-zealand-marist-history1/ |title=Society of Mary - Marist Fathers and Brothers - New Zealand |access-date=2010-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008153548/http://www.sm.org.nz/about/nz-province/new-zealand-marist-history1/ |archive-date=2009-10-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1848, the first version of the [[New Testament]] was printed in the Samoan language, followed by a Samoan version of the [[Old Testament]] in 1855.<ref name="samoa.co.uk"/> Catholics and Protestants competed for converts amidst a backdrop of Imperial rivalries between Catholic France and [[Protestant]] Britain.<ref>{{cite book |last=Laracy |first=Hugh |date=2013 |title=Watriama and Co: Further Pacific Islands Portraits |publisher=ANU Press |pages=53–68 |chapter=Chapter 3: Insular Eminence: Cardinal Moran (1830-1911) and the Pacific Islands |chapter-url=http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p260041/pdf/ch033.pdf |isbn=978-1-921666-33-9 |access-date=2021-08-05 |archive-date=2023-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602082121/https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p260041/pdf/ch033.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Christianity took firm root in the islands and attendance at Church on Sundays has remained high to the present day<ref name="samoa.co.uk"/>
In 1896, Mgr. Broyer was appointed [[Vicar Apostolic]] of Samoa and [[Tokelau]], with residence at [[Apia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13421a.htm|title=Catholic Encyclopedia: Samoa|access-date=2010-05-22|archive-date=2018-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002442/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13421a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1954, Pio Taofinu'u was ordained as Polynesia's first Catholic Cardinal.<ref name="retire">{{cite web |title=Samoa's Cardinal Pio retires |publisher=Pacific Magazine |date=2002-11-19 |url=http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2002/11/19/samoas-cardinal-pio-retires |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070614094204/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2002/11/19/samoas-cardinal-pio-retires |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-14 |access-date=2008-12-09 }}</ref> In 2006, having been made the first Pacific and first Samoan [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]], he died at the age of 82.<ref name ="retire"/><ref>{{cite web|title=American Samoa: Cardinal Pio Tributes|publisher=Pacific Magazine|date=2006-12-23|url=http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/01/23/american-samoa-cardinal-pio-tributes|access-date=2008-12-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175443/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/01/23/american-samoa-cardinal-pio-tributes|archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref> In 2007, in a ceremony organized by the Catholic Church, the Samoan head of state asked for divine forgiveness of his country's sins.<ref>{{cite web |title=Samoa's Catholic Church Concerned Over 'New Religions' |publisher=Pacific Magazine |date=2007-12-05 |url=http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/12/05/samoas-catholic-church-concerned-over-new-religions |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070614094204/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/12/05/samoas-catholic-church-concerned-over-new-religions |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-14 |access-date=2008-12-09 }}</ref> At [[World Youth Day]] 2008, "up to a thousand" Samoan youths participated in the activities in [[Sydney]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Anthony Barich and Catherine Smibert |title=Generation Y Forgot to RSVP |publisher=[[Zenit News Agency]] |date=2008-07-15 |url=http://zenit.org/article-23208?l=english |access-date=2008-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828053259/http://www.zenit.org/article-23208?l=english |archive-date=2008-08-28 }}</ref>
Churches of various denominations are often the grandest buildings in Samoan villages.<ref name="samoa.co.uk"/> The [[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Apia|Mulivai Catholic Cathedral]] is located in [[Apia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/data/cathASX.htm#djo|title=Cathedrals in Pacific Islands|access-date=2014-01-24|archive-date=2020-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929004655/http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/data/cathASX.htm#djo|url-status=live}}</ref> Catholic religious organisations have been active in health, education and [[social work]] in Samoa, including the work of religious institutes including the [[Marist Brothers]] and [[Little Sisters of the Poor]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hobart.catholic.org.au/documents/tascath/Tascath_vol5_issue5.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221132518/http://www.hobart.catholic.org.au/documents/tascath/Tascath_vol5_issue5.pdf |archive-date=2011-02-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="RNZI_4570">{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=4570 |title=Catholic schools in Samoa plea for government help with wages |date=30 April 2003 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=5 November 2011 |archive-date=12 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612085012/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=4570 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.maristsamoa.org/ourmissionobjectives.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819235319/http://www.maristsamoa.org/ourmissionobjectives.htm |archive-date=2008-08-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au/ |title=Home |website=littlesistersofthepoor.org.au |access-date=2010-05-22 |archive-date=2018-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825110328/https://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== See also == * [[Religion in Samoa]]
==References== {{Reflist}} Michael Tyquin, 'A History of the Catholic Church in Western Samoa', Apia, 1995.
{{Oceania topic|Catholic Church in|groupstyle=background-color:gold|titlestyle=background-color:gold}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Catholic Church in Samoa}} [[Category:Catholic Church in Samoa| ]] [[Category:Catholic Church by country|Samoa]] [[Category:Christian organizations established in 1954]]