ANTISIRABÈ, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - The mission originated from the Apostolic Prefecture of Betafo, erected on 15 May 1913, by dismemberment from the Vicariate of Madagascar (v. TANANARIVE), and elevated to a vicariate on 24 August 1918, under the name of A. by decree of 10 January 1921. Its northern boundaries were later adjusted (with the Vicariate of Tananarive) in 1933, and part of its territory was dismembered in 1938 for the erection of the Prefecture of Morondava.
Out of a total population of approximately 212,000 inhabitants, there are about 30,000 pagans, roughly twice as many Protestants, 98,031 Catholics (including about 300 foreigners), and 4,015 catechumens. The mission is staffed by 24 priests, Missionaries of La Salette (of whom 11 are indigenous), 14 indigenous and 13 foreign brothers, and 41 sisters. In addition to the minor seminary (68 students), there are 136 elementary schools with 5,046 students. The continuous and rapid religious progress is due, among other factors, to the dense network of secondary stations, where 483 catechists support the work of the 8 quasi-parishes.