| Capital |
: Bandar Seri Begawan |
| Population |
: 459,000 |
| Catholics |
: 17,000 |
| Jurisdictions |
: One Apostolic Vicariate |
| Parishes |
: Three |
| Major Religions |
: Islam 67%, Buddhism 13%, Christianity 10% |
Brunei is an Islamic country where the Sharia law regulates life. Evangelization is strictly forbidden in the country. Besides, contact with Christians in other countries, import of the Bible and public displays of celebrations like Christmas are banned in the country by the royal decree. The teaching of non-Muslim religions in schools and marriages between Christians and Muslims are also prohibited.
The country has some 459,900 people as of 2019. Christians account for nearly 10 percent of the population. Catholics are reported to be 17,000, forming just 3.7 percent of the population. Catholics in Brunei find their roots in the ministry of the Missionary Society of St. Joseph (Mill Hill Missionaries).
Christianity first arrived in Brunei when Spanish missionaries from the Philippines reached there in the 16th century. For many years, the Church in Brunei was administered by various ecclesiastical jurisdictions based in Labuan, Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), Kuching and Miri cities of Malaysia.
The separation of Bruneian territory, formerly under the Diocese of Miri-Brunei (now known as the Diocese of Miri in Malaysia), created a distinct Bruneian Church. This separated territory was designated as an apostolic prefecture in November 1997, to be headed by the then Monsignor Cornelius Sim. This Bruneian priest was the vicar general of Miri-Brunei and was its first apostolic prefect.
The Apostolic Prefecture of Brunei Darussalam was established in February 22, 1998. On October 20, 2004, it was elevated to an apostolic vicariate. Monsignor Sim was named its first apostolic vicar, carrying the dignity of a titular bishop. The official celebrations and Episcopal ordination took place on January 21, 2005.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam covers the territory of Brunei, and the Apostolic Vicar Bishop Cornelius Sim leads it.
