Apostolic Prefecture of

Hainan 海南

China

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Apostolic Prefecture

Name: Hainan 海南 (中文) / Hainan / Hǎinán 海南 (简体中文) / Hainanen(sis) (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Neighbouring Dioceses: Beihai 北海 (↑)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Now Governed by Patriotic Diocese: Hainan 海南 Uncanonical Diocese

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1929.04.15: Established as Mission sui juris of Hainan 海南 (中文) / Hainan / Hǎinán 海南 (简体中文) / de Hainan (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Beihai 北海)
1936.05.25: Promoted as Apostolic Prefecture of Hainan 海南 (中文) / Hainan / Hǎinán 海南 (简体中文) / Hainanen(sis) (Latin)

Present Prelates

Prefect Apostolic:

vacant

Ordinaries

Prefects Apostolic of Hainan 海南 (Roman Rite)

Fr. Dominic Desperben (德文彬), SS.CC.
(1939.03.24 – 1980.06.16)

Born:	1898.07.12 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1925.08.02
Died:	1980.06.16 († 81)

Prefect Apostolic of Hainan 海南 (China) (1939.03.24 – 1980.06.16)

Fr. Paul-Marie-Joseph Julliotte (余禮灼), SS.CC.
(1936.05.25 – 1939.02)

Born:	1867.04.27 (France)
Ordained Priest:	1893.06.29
Died:	1956.08.30 († 89)

Ecclesiastical Superior of Hainan 海南 (China) (1929.11.20 – 1936.05.25)

Prefect Apostolic of Hainan 海南 (China) (1936.05.25 – 1939.02)

Ecclesiastical Superiors of Hainan 海南 (Roman Rite)

Fr. Paul-Marie-Joseph Julliotte (余禮灼), SS.CC.
(1929.11.20 – 1936.05.25)

(see above)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Haikou 海口, Hainan

Beihai 北海 (↑)

Statistics (1950.12.31)

Area: 35,000 km²

Population: 3,419 Catholics (0.1% of 2,500,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 9 parishes, 15 missions

Personnel: 19 priests (5 diocesan, 14 religious), 20 religious (20 sisters), 1 seminarian

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2026.03.30

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