To follow up on the discussion, I found some information that might be of
interest. According to The Catholic Encyclopedia (Classic 1914 Edition):
There were in 1905, in Oldenburg: Catholics, 86,865; Protestants, 264,805;
other Christians, 1163; Jews, 956; in Lübeck: Catholics, 485; Protestants,
38,064; other Christians, 11; Jews, 23; in Birkenfeld: Catholics,
8717; Protestants, 37,047; other Christians, 177; Jews, 543. In the entire grand
duchy: 96,067 Catholics, 399,916 Protestants, 1351 other Christians, 1522 Jews.
The percentage of Catholics among the total population is now 21.9; in 1871 it
was 22.4. The cause of this lies in the emigration of a part of the agricultural
population to the industrial districts of the neighbouring provinces. . . [and]
The Oldenburg part of the Diocese of Münster consists to-day of two deaconries,
Cloppenburg and Vechta. The Deaconry of Cloppenburg numbers 38,678 Catholics,
6952 Protestants and 28 Hebrews; the 18 parishes of the Aemter Cloppenburg and
Friesoythe also belong to it. The Deaconry of Vechta numbers 53,308 Catholics,
264,169 Protestants, 987 Jews; it includes the other 18 parishes of the
country.
The 1911 Encyclopedia Brittanica
http://www.1911encyclopedia.com/Oldenburg%2C_Germany_(Grand-Duchy) offers
only this:
Oldenburg is a Protestant country, and the grand-duke is required to be a member
of the Lutheran Church. Roman Catholicism, however, preponderates in the
south-western provinces, which formerly belonged to the bishopric of Munster.
Oldenburg Roman Catholics are under the sway of the bishops of Munster, who is
represented by an official at Vechta.
That's all I've got.
Best,
Bradley Jansen
(Also Joseph Macke b. 1817 Hüde, Amt. Damme, emigrated 1836 ultimately to
Oldenburg, Indiana)