Skip to the diocese
Catholic Intelligence
J.M.J.Search

Diocese immediately subject to the Holy See Tonga

Diocese of Tonga

Tongan(us)

Latin Church diocese covering the Kingdom of Tonga, with roots in the Vicariate Apostolic of Central Oceania (1842) and elevated to the Diocese of Tonga on 21 June 1966. It is immediately subject to the Holy See; the seat is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Nuku'alofa.

On the map

Esri
Tonga, Tonga, drawn to the town rather than to the door: the register holds no verified address for its cathedral.

Every see on one map: browse the dioceses. Churches with recorded hours: find Mass times.

Established
1966
Catholics
17,000
Priests
38
Territory
947 km²

Parishes and churches

19 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Bishop
Soane Patita Paini Mafi
Born
19 December 1961
Birthplace
Nuku'alofa

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Nuku'alofa stands in Tonga, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

History

Catholic life in Tonga is organized as the Diocese of Tonga (Latin: Dioecesis Tongana), a Latin Church diocese whose origins lie in the Vicariate Apostolic of Central Oceania, erected in 1842. After name changes in 1937 and 1957, it was elevated to the Diocese of Tonga on June 21, 1966. Its cathedra stands in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Tongan: Malia Tupu 'Imākulata) in the capital Nuku'alofa.