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History
The Marists first set up a Mission in the Shortland Islands South of Bougainville in 1899, and on Bougainville itself in 1901at Kieta. The mission was established on Buka, to the north of Bougainville about 1910.

The Bougainville Mission has experienced much difficulty in more recent years, because of the Bougainville seccessionist movement from 1988 to 1997.

Estimates of the number who died during those years because of the crisis range from 10,000 to 20,000. In recent times there are still some areas In the mountains where missionaries cannot go.

Our men
At present the Marists in Bougainville are the following: 13 priests, 1 seminarian on Pastoral Year.

Where we work
We have 4 communities in Bougainville:

Buin
four parishes, looked after by this community

Koromira
community looks after 3 parishes

Hanahan (on Buka Island)
looks after the parishes of Lemanumanu and Hanahan

Hahela (on Buka Island)
this is the regional house, members help in Gagan and Gogohe parishes.

Vocations
At present there are six seminarians from Bougainville who are professed Marists, one novice, and six seminarians who have not yet done their novitiate.