Chronology of Catholic Dioceses:Notes on the Apostolic Prefecture of Kagoshima and the US occupied areas in the post war years

(The Apostolic Administration of Okinawa and the Southern Islands, also known as The Aposdtolic Administration of the Ryukyus.) 1947-1972.

At the end of World War II, when the civil Prefecture of Okinawa and the Southern Islands fell under the American military occupation, the territory was entrusted to the Capuchin Fathers of the New York Province. The Most Rev. Apollinaris W. Baumgartner, O.F.M.Cap., Vicar Apostolic of Guam, was appointed Administrator. Bishop Baumgartner asked to be relieved of this responsibility and in January 1949, Msgr. Felix Ley, O.F.M.Cap., was appointed Administrator Apostolic.

In 1954, the islands of Oshima-gun were entrusted to the American Conventual Fathers and in May of 1955, Oshima-gun became a part of the newly-established Diocese of Kagoshima.

This Apostolic Administration was not formally detached from the Apostolic Prefecture of Kagoshima when it was established in 1947. But de facto, there was such a separation: In 1955 the northern part of the AA was rejoined to Kagoshima, and in 1972, the AA was turned into the Diocese of Naha.

Information of Mr Charles N Bransom based on the 1985 Japan Catholic Directory, and from Mr Gerard Lovell based on the Naha website.

- CT