Prefecture Apostolic of Marshall Islands

Praefectura Apostolica Insularum Marshallensium

Bishop(s)

Tamati Alefosio Sefo, M.S.C., Prefect
Ariel Galido, M.S.C., Prefect Emeritus
James Charles Gould, S.J., Prefect Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Prefecture Apostolic
Erected: 23 April 1993
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Agaña
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Marshall Islands
Region: Pacific (Oceania)
Square Kilometers: 182 (70 Square Miles)
Catholic Directory Abbreviation: MI
Mailing Address: Assumption, Uliga, P.O. Box 8, Majuro, MH 96960, Marshall Islands
Telephone: 625-8307

Past and Present Ordinaries

James Charles Gould, S.J. (23 Apr 1993 Appointed - 21 Dec 2007 Resigned)
Raymundo Taco Sabio, M.S.C. † (21 Dec 2007 Appointed - 28 Jun 2017 Resigned)
Ariel Galido, M.S.C. (28 Jun 2017 Appointed - 14 Jan 2025 Resigned)
Tamati Alefosio Sefo, M.S.C. (14 Jan 2025 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
23 April 1993	Erected	Diocese of Carolines-Marshalls (Republic of the Marshall Islands)	Prefecture Apostolic of Marshall Islands (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1999 4,000 50,000 8.0% 5 5 800 2 5 15 4 ap2000

2000 4,576 50,840 9.0% 6 6 762 6 15 4 ap2001

2001 4,576 50,894 9.0% 6 6 762 2 7 15 4 ap2002

2002 4,586 50,874 9.0% 6 6 764 1 7 12 4 ap2003

2003 4,601 50,874 9.0% 5 5 920 1 6 11 4 ap2004

2004 4,601 50,874 9.0% 4 4 1,150 1 6 11 4 ap2005

2010 4,875 57,400 8.5% 5 5 975 1 6 8 4 ap2011

2014 4,975 52,500 9.5% 1 5 6 829 1 5 10 11 ap2015

2017 5,100 52,600 9.7% 1 4 5 1,020 1 7 6 12 ap2018

2020 5,300 54,240 9.8% 1 5 6 883 1 7 7 6 ap2021

2022 5,123 59,000 8.7% 1 5 6 853 3 5 6 5 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1999	4,000	50,000	8.0%		5	5	800	2	5	15	4	ap2000
2000	4,576	50,840	9.0%		6	6	762		6	15	4	ap2001
2001	4,576	50,894	9.0%		6	6	762	2	7	15	4	ap2002
2002	4,586	50,874	9.0%		6	6	764	1	7	12	4	ap2003
2003	4,601	50,874	9.0%		5	5	920	1	6	11	4	ap2004
2004	4,601	50,874	9.0%		4	4	1,150	1	6	11	4	ap2005
2010	4,875	57,400	8.5%		5	5	975	1	6	8	4	ap2011
2014	4,975	52,500	9.5%	1	5	6	829	1	5	10	11	ap2015
2017	5,100	52,600	9.7%	1	4	5	1,020	1	7	6	12	ap2018
2020	5,300	54,240	9.8%	1	5	6	883	1	7	7	6	ap2021
2022	5,123	59,000	8.7%	1	5	6	853	3	5	6	5	ap2023