# Catholic Church in Samoa

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The **Catholic Church in Samoa** is part of the worldwide [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church), which, initiated by the life, death and resurrection of [Jesus Christ](/source/Jesus_Christ), and under the spiritual leadership of the [Pope](/source/Pope) and [Roman curia](/source/Roman_curia) in the [Vatican City](/source/Vatican_City) (within Rome) is the largest [Christian church](/source/Christian_church) in the world. Catholic missionaries arrived in [Samoa](/source/Samoa) in 1845 and today Catholics account for around 20% of the overall population. Archbishop [Alapati Lui Mataeliga](/source/Alapati_Lui_Mataeliga) was ordained as head of the [Archdiocese](/source/Archdiocese) of Samoa-Apia in 2003.[1]

## Demographics

According to Samoa's 2016 census there were 36,766 Catholics in Samoa, out of a total population of 195,979.[2] The population of Samoa is about 99% Christian.[3]

According to the [CIA World Factbook](/source/CIA_World_Factbook), in the 2001 census, Catholics accounted for 19.6% of the population, being the second largest [Christian denomination](/source/Christian_denomination) after [Congregationalist](/source/Congregationalist) at 34.8%.[4]

In 2020 there were 65 priest and 62 nuns serving 60 parishes.[5]

## History

Prior to the arrival of European visitors, Samoa had a complex [polytheistic](/source/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.[6] In 1830, the [London Missionary Society](/source/London_Missionary_Society) arrived at [Sapapalii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sapapalii&action=edit&redlink=1). In 1836 [Pope Gregory XVI](/source/Pope_Gregory_XVI) commissioned the [Marist Fathers](/source/Marist_Fathers) to bring Catholicism to the [Western Pacific](/source/Western_Pacific_Ocean) and missionaries from this French [religious institute](/source/Religious_institute) arrived in Samoa in 1845.[7] In 1848, the first version of the [New Testament](/source/New_Testament) was printed in the Samoan language, followed by a Samoan version of the [Old Testament](/source/Old_Testament) in 1855.[6] Catholics and Protestants competed for converts amidst a backdrop of Imperial rivalries between Catholic France and [Protestant](/source/Protestant) Britain.[8] Christianity took firm root in the islands and attendance at Church on Sundays has remained high to the present day[6]

In 1896, Mgr. Broyer was appointed [Vicar Apostolic](/source/Vicar_Apostolic) of Samoa and [Tokelau](/source/Tokelau), with residence at [Apia](/source/Apia).[9] In 1954, Pio Taofinu'u was ordained as Polynesia's first Catholic Cardinal.[10] In 2006, having been made the first Pacific and first Samoan [Cardinal](/source/Cardinal_(Catholicism)), he died at the age of 82.[10][11] In 2007, in a ceremony organized by the Catholic Church, the Samoan head of state asked for divine forgiveness of his country's sins.[12] At [World Youth Day](/source/World_Youth_Day) 2008, "up to a thousand" Samoan youths participated in the activities in [Sydney](/source/Sydney).[13]

Churches of various denominations are often the grandest buildings in Samoan villages.[6] The [Mulivai Catholic Cathedral](/source/Immaculate_Conception_Cathedral%2C_Apia) is located in [Apia](/source/Apia).[14] Catholic religious organisations have been active in health, education and [social work](/source/Social_work) in Samoa, including the work of religious institutes including the [Marist Brothers](/source/Marist_Brothers) and [Little Sisters of the Poor](/source/Little_Sisters_of_the_Poor).[15][16][17][18]

## See also

- [Religion in Samoa](/source/Religion_in_Samoa)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga"](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmatae.html). *[Catholic-Hierarchy.org](/source/Catholic-Hierarchy.org)*. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["2016 Census Brief No.1"](https://www.sbs.gov.ws/digi/2016_Census_Brief_No.1.pdf) (PDF). Samoa Bureau of Statistics. 30 October 2017. p. 49. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200116061525/https://www.sbs.gov.ws/digi/2016_Census_Brief_No.1.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["GCatholic website, *Catholic Church in Samoa*"](http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/WS.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170728161440/http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/WS.htm) from the original on 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2014-01-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The World Factbook"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211028124346/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/samoa/). Archived from [the original](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/samoa/) on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-01-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08](https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/samao)[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-samoa.co.uk_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-samoa.co.uk_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-samoa.co.uk_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-samoa.co.uk_6-3) ["Samoa.co.uk"](http://www.samoa.co.uk/music%26culture.html). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002654/http://www.samoa.co.uk/music%26culture.html) from the original on 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2010-05-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Society of Mary - Marist Fathers and Brothers - New Zealand"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091008153548/http://www.sm.org.nz/about/nz-province/new-zealand-marist-history1/). Archived from [the original](http://www.sm.org.nz/about/nz-province/new-zealand-marist-history1/) on 2009-10-08. Retrieved 2010-05-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Laracy, Hugh (2013). ["Chapter 3: Insular Eminence: Cardinal Moran (1830-1911) and the Pacific Islands"](http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p260041/pdf/ch033.pdf) (PDF). *Watriama and Co: Further Pacific Islands Portraits*. ANU Press. pp. 53–68. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-921666-33-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-921666-33-9). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230602082121/https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p260041/pdf/ch033.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2021-08-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Catholic Encyclopedia: Samoa"](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13421a.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002442/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13421a.htm) from the original on 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2010-05-22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-retire_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-retire_10-1) ["Samoa's Cardinal Pio retires"](http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2002/11/19/samoas-cardinal-pio-retires). Pacific Magazine. 2002-11-19. Retrieved 2008-12-09.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["American Samoa: Cardinal Pio Tributes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175443/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/01/23/american-samoa-cardinal-pio-tributes). Pacific Magazine. 2006-12-23. Archived from [the original](http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2006/01/23/american-samoa-cardinal-pio-tributes) on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2008-12-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Samoa's Catholic Church Concerned Over 'New Religions'"](http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/12/05/samoas-catholic-church-concerned-over-new-religions). Pacific Magazine. 2007-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-09.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Anthony Barich and Catherine Smibert (2008-07-15). ["Generation Y Forgot to RSVP"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080828053259/http://www.zenit.org/article-23208?l=english). [Zenit News Agency](/source/Zenit_News_Agency). Archived from [the original](http://zenit.org/article-23208?l=english) on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-12-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Cathedrals in Pacific Islands"](http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/data/cathASX.htm#djo). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200929004655/http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/data/cathASX.htm#djo) from the original on 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2014-01-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110221132518/http://www.hobart.catholic.org.au/documents/tascath/Tascath_vol5_issue5.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.hobart.catholic.org.au/documents/tascath/Tascath_vol5_issue5.pdf) (PDF) on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2010-05-22.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RNZI_4570_16-0)** ["Catholic schools in Samoa plea for government help with wages"](http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=4570). *[Radio New Zealand International](/source/Radio_New_Zealand_International)*. 30 April 2003. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120612085012/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=4570) from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080819235319/http://www.maristsamoa.org/ourmissionobjectives.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.maristsamoa.org/ourmissionobjectives.htm) on 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2010-05-22.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Home"](http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au/). *littlesistersofthepoor.org.au*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180825110328/https://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au/) from the original on 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2010-05-22.

Michael Tyquin, 'A History of the Catholic Church in Western Samoa', Apia, 1995.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Catholic Church in Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Samoa) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Samoa?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.