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| Father Louis Bochkoltz with his faithful |
Brief History
In 1887 the first Catholic mission in Vanuatu was started at Mele on Efate, by Father Le Forestier, three other priests and a brother. The greatest growth of Catholic converts took place in the North, where the French influence was strong.
This was especially true in Santo and Malekula. In areas where the English influence was strong, Presbyterians gained the greatest number of converts. Vanuatu was governed jointly by England and France as a “condominium” from 1906 to 1980, when it gained its independence. The twin influences of England and France remain strong until today, both in society and in the churches in Vanuatu.
The Marist Fathers have a strong presence in this area.