Sarah Mitchell
Hawaii has a rich Catholic history, from the arrival of the first Catholic priests in 1827 to the establishment of the Diocese of Honolulu as a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory for the state. The number of Catholics in Hawaii has fluctuated over the years, with a notable decline in recent times. As of 2019, the October count, considered the number of active Catholics, was 46,890, a significant drop from previous years. This count, however, may not represent the entire Catholic population in the state, as it only includes those who attend Mass regularly. With a total population of around 1.42 million in 2018, Hawaii is home to a diverse range of religious beliefs, with Catholics comprising a notable portion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics in Hawaii | Between 16% and 20% of the population, or around 280,000 people. |
| Number of "Active Catholics" in Hawaii | 46,890 (as per the October 2018 count) |
| Number of Catholic Congregations in Hawaii | 107 |
| Catholic Diocese | Honolulu |
| Mother Church | Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu |
| Bishop of Honolulu | Clarence Silva |
| Patron Saint of Honolulu Diocese | Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Malia O Ka Malu or Our Lady Queen of Peace |
| Other Saints Associated with Honolulu Diocese | Damien De Veuster and Marianne Cope |
| Languages Used in Congregations | Hawaiian, English, Ilokano, Tagalog, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese |
| First Catholic Priests in Honolulu | Rev. Alexis Bachelot, Rev. Abraham Armand, and one other (arrived on July 9, 1827) |
| Edict of Toleration | Issued in July 1839, granting religious freedom to all Catholics in Hawaii |
| Cathedral in Honolulu | Solemnly dedicated on August 15, 1843, with 800 Catholics receiving Holy Communion |
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What You'll Learn
The history of Catholicism in Hawaii
Catholicism in Hawaii has a long and complex history, dating back to the arrival of Don Francisco de Paula Marin (Manini) in 1793 or 1794. Manini, a Spanish Catholic, is believed to have brought Catholicism to the Hawaiian Islands. Despite living a polygamous life during his time in Hawaii, he reportedly baptised over three hundred Hawaiian chiefs and others into the Catholic faith.
In 1819, Kalanimōkū became the first Hawaiian Chief to be formally baptised as a Catholic. This event took place aboard the French ship Uranie, where "the captain and the clergyman ... baptised him into the Catholic Church" (Kamakau). Soon after, Boki, Kalanimoku's brother and Governor of Oʻahu, was also baptised.
However, Catholicism in Hawaii also faced challenges and persecution in its early years. In 1837, two Catholic priests were forced to leave the islands by the Hawaiian government. With intervention from American, British, and French officials, the king was persuaded to allow the priests to return, and an edict of religious tolerance for Catholics was issued in 1839 by King Kamehameha III. This edict granted religious freedom to Catholics in Hawaii, and the king also donated land for the construction of the first permanent Catholic Church, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.
The Catholic Church in Hawaii continued to grow, and by the late 19th century, it was facing new challenges, such as the rise of leprosy cases. Reverend Damien De Veuster went to the Kalaupapa Leper Colony on the island of Molokai in 1873 to minister to the leprosy patients. In 1883, Sister Marianne Cope and six sisters of St. Francis arrived from Syracuse, New York, to operate the leper colony.
In 1941, just weeks before the United States entered World War II, the Diocese of Honolulu was established. Hawaii became a state in 1959, and by the start of the 21st century, the Diocese of Honolulu had grown into a diverse and active multi-ethnic community, blending Hawaiian and American traditions with the cultures of immigrants from Asia and the South Pacific.
While Catholicism has a significant presence in Hawaii, with the Diocese of Honolulu ministering to Hawaiian, English, Ilokano, Tagalog, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese congregants, there has been a decline in church attendance in recent years. According to the Hawaii Catholic Herald, the number of Catholics attending Mass has decreased by nearly 20% in the past decade.
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The number of active Catholics in Hawaii
The decrease in Catholic churchgoers in Hawaii is part of a broader trend of shrinking congregations across the state. The Hawaii Catholic Herald's October count, presumed to be the number of "active Catholics" in the state, has consistently shown a decline in Mass attendance. In 2018, 85 out of 107 parishes, missions, and ethnic communities saw a drop in attendance over the past three years.
Hawaii has a long Catholic history. The first Catholic priests arrived in Honolulu in 1827, and Pope Leo XII established the Prefecture Apostolic of the Sandwich Islands in 1825. In 1839, King Kamehameha III issued the Edict of Toleration, granting religious freedom to all Catholics in Hawaii. During the reign of Kamehameha III, Reverend Damien De Veuster went to the Kalaupapa Leper Colony on the island of Molokai to minister to leprosy patients, and Sister Marianne Cope arrived from Syracuse, New York, with six sisters of St. Francis to operate the colony. In 1840, devotees harvested large blocks of coral from the Oahu coastline to build the future Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which remains the mother church of the Diocese of Honolulu. In 1841, St. Raphael's Parish was established on the Island of Kauai, the first Catholic church on the island.
Today, the Diocese of Honolulu ministers to Hawaiian, English, Ilokano, Tagalog, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese congregants. The patron saint of the Diocese is the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Malia O Ka Malu or Our Lady Queen of Peace. Saints Damien De Veuster and Marianne Cope are also associated with the diocese.
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The number of non-practicing Catholics in Hawaii
However, attendance at Catholic Mass has been declining. The October count in 2018, which is considered the tally of "active Catholics," showed a notable decrease in participation. The average number of Mass-goers each weekend in October 2018 was 46,890, a drop of 2,998 from the 2015 count and a significant decline of 11,547 from 2008. This decrease in attendance stands in contrast to the overall population growth in Hawaii during the same period, indicating a shrinking of Catholic congregations in the state.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald's analysis of the October counts over the years has revealed inconsistencies in attendance, with some Catholics attending Mass every other week or once a month. These variations can impact the accuracy of the "October count" as the basis for estimating the number of active Catholics. It is important to consider that the actual number of individuals attending Mass during the month of October may be higher than the average count on a single Sunday.
Despite the fluctuations and challenges in determining precise numbers, it is evident that a significant proportion of Catholics in Hawaii do not regularly attend religious services. This trend aligns with the broader religious landscape in the state, where a diverse range of religious affiliations and spiritual beliefs coexist. Hawaii is home to a multitude of religious groups, including Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Orthodox Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Buddhists, and individuals identifying as spiritual but not religious.
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The impact of shrinking congregations on the Catholic Church in Hawaii
The Catholic Church in Hawaii has a long and complex history, dating back to the arrival of Catholic missionaries in the early 19th century. The Catholic population in Hawaii has fluctuated over the years, with a significant influx of Catholic Portuguese workers in the 19th century and a steady presence of the Catholic community ever since. However, recent years have seen a decline in Catholic congregations across the state, with a notable impact on the Catholic Church's presence and activities.
In 2019, reports emerged indicating a significant drop in the number of Catholics attending Mass regularly. The annual count of Mass-goers conducted by the diocese revealed a concerning trend. From 2015 to 2018, 85 out of 107 parishes, missions, and ethnic communities witnessed a decline in attendance. The average number of attendees each weekend in October 2018 was 46,890, a decrease of almost 20% from 2008. This decline is particularly striking when compared to the overall population growth in Hawaii during the same period, with an 11% increase in the state's population.
The shrinking congregations have had several consequences for the Catholic Church in Hawaii. Firstly, it raises questions about the engagement and religious practices of Hawaii's Catholic population. With a significant number of Catholics not regularly attending Mass, it suggests that many identify as cultural or non-practicing Catholics rather than actively participating members of the Church. This trend aligns with the broader pattern observed in the United States, where surveys show that one out of every three adult Americans raised Catholic has left the Church.
Additionally, the decline in congregations has practical implications for the Church's operations. With fewer attendees, churches face financial challenges in maintaining their infrastructure. This is particularly relevant in Maui, where congregations are struggling to save old churches and temples, including the historic Wananalua church, from deterioration due to a sluggish economy and the impact of wildfires. The dwindling congregations and limited resources have led to concerns about the preservation of these religious landmarks.
To address the impact of shrinking congregations, the Catholic Church in Hawaii may need to reevaluate its approach to inspiring and engaging its community. As suggested by commentators, the Church must offer a relationship with God that provides healing, comfort, and hope in a world filled with bad news and media distrust. By refocusing on the core of Christian theology and adapting their message to resonate with 21st-century Americans, the Church may find new ways to connect with Catholics and address the challenges posed by shrinking congregations.
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The role of the Catholic Church in education and social services in Hawaii
The Catholic Church has had a long history in Hawaii, with the Prefecture Apostolic of the Sandwich Islands (now the Diocese of Honolulu) established by Pope Leo XII in 1825. The Catholic Church has played a significant role in education and social services in Hawaii ever since.
In terms of education, the Catholic Church has established numerous schools across the islands. As early as the 1840s, the Church was building mission churches and schools, with the construction of the future Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu beginning in 1840. The Church imported a printing press to produce religious texts in the Hawaiian language. The priority of Catholic education continued under vicar apostolic Bernard Koeckemann in the late 19th century, who oversaw the construction of many schools. Today, the Hawaii Catholic Schools Office welcomes students and families to become part of the Hawaii Catholic Schools Ohana.
The Catholic Church has also played a significant role in social services in Hawaii. During the rise of leprosy cases in the late 19th century, Reverend Damien De Veuster went to the Kalaupapa Leper Colony on the island of Molokai in 1873 to minister to those afflicted. He was joined in 1883 by Sister Marianne Cope and six sisters of St Francis from New York, who operated the leper colony. The Church also provided support to the families of Hawaiian men who fought in the Spanish-American War of 1898 and the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902. With the establishment of military bases in the early 20th century, the Church began ministering to many Catholics serving in the US Armed Forces.
While the Catholic population in Hawaii has fluctuated over the years, with a decline in recent years, the Church continues to play an important role in the lives of many Catholics in the state. The Diocese of Honolulu ministers to congregants from various ethnic backgrounds, including Hawaiian, English, Ilokano, Tagalog, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The current bishop of Honolulu, as of 2023, is Clarence Silva, and the patron saint of the diocese is the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Malia O Ka Malu, or Our Lady Queen of Peace.
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Frequently asked questions
If 20% of Hawaii's population is Catholic, that amounts to 280,000 people. However, the number of active Catholics is hard to pinpoint.
The October count is the yearly tally of weekend Mass-goers conducted in every Catholic parish and mission church in Hawaii. The final count is the average of all the weekends.
The 2018 October count may be the lowest on record, at an average of 46,890 people in church each weekend.
The Diocese of Honolulu is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese for the state of Hawaii. It ministers to Hawaiian, English, Ilokano, Tagalog, Samoan, Tongan, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese congregants.
Catholicism was first introduced to Hawaii in 1825 when Pope Leo XII established the Prefecture Apostolic of the Sandwich Islands. The first Catholic priests arrived in Honolulu in 1827, and the newly-finished cathedral of Honolulu was dedicated in 1843.
