Lying halfway between
Hawaii and
Australia, Kiribati consists of 32 low-lying
atolls and one raised island in a vast expanse of ocean comprising three main groupings: the
Gilbert Islands,
Phoenix Islands, and
Line Islands. The original inhabitants of Kiribati are an
Austronesian people who arrived more than 2000 BP. Invasions by
Fijians and
Tongans brought
Melanesian and
Polynesian influence. European contact began in the 16th century. In 1892, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (now
Tuvalu) became British protectorates. A
British colony from 1916, and scene of bitter fighting during
World War II, Kiribati became an independent nation in 1979. The first Catholics were locals who had returned from working in
Tahiti. They invited the
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) to come from France. Upon the partition of the
Vicariate of Micronesia, the Gilbert Islands were created as a separate vicariate by the Catholic Church in 1897. Mgr.
Joseph Leray was placed at its head and, with other MSC priests, he began missionary work in the islands. In 1966, the vicariate of bishop
Pierre Guichet was elevated to become the
Diocese of Tarawa. In 1978, the name changed to Diocese of Tarawa, Nauru and Funafuti. This was split in 1982 into the
Mission sui iuris of Funafuti and the
Diocese of Tarawa and Nauru. Bishop
Paul Mea, MSC, was ordained Bishop of
Tarawa,
Nauru and
Funafuti, Kiribati in 1979. The
Sacred Heart Cathedral is in
Teaoraereke, in
South Tarawa, Kiribati. ==See also==