There are about 35,000 Indians on Vancouver Island and in Alaska. Only
4000 of these are Catholics. These Indians have thirteen churches and
seven schools open to them. Some idea may be had of the extent of the
territory within which the Indian Missions are comprised, when we reflect
on the vast area, (593,000 square miles) which is included within its
limits. Fourteen zealous priests are here engaged in missionary work.
According to Bishop Lemmens the prospects for the future are bright. “We
have good hopes that all the Indians on the West Coast will ultimately
be Catholics; the majority are so now. The Missions on the Yukon River
and in the south-west of Alaska are very successful. In all this diocese
there are only four churches, in which it is possible to take up a
regular Sunday collection. The Cathedral is the only church which brings
in any pew rent. All the churches, except four, have to be entirely
supported from the general funds of the diocese.”
With the Alaska missions of the diocese of Vancouver Island we bring our
report to a close. The foregoing reports from the Bishops of the South
and Northwest speak louder than comment on them. The Negroes and Indians
stand in need of priests, of churches and of schools. Much good could be
done among them if the men and the means were available. A rich field
is here open to zealous missionaries, and to the charitably disposed.
Let all praise be meted out to the noble few, both priests and sisters,
who have consented to consecrate their lives to this laudable work. May
heaven continue to bless their labors and to furnish them the meagre
pittance of which they stand so sorely in need.