ARAUCA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. — This prefecture, erected in Colombia (South America) by a decree of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation on 26 May 1915, through the dismemberment of the northern part of the vicariate of Casanare (q.v.) to the left of the river of the same name, is entrusted to the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists). The prefecture extends from 6° to 7° south latitude and from 71° to 75° west longitude (Paris). The eastern region consists of a vast swampy plain, slightly uneven (average elevation 250 m. above sea level); the western region is mountainous (1500–3000 m. above sea level) and populous. Principal centres: Chita (18,000 inhabitants), Arauca (3,000), La Salina (2,000), Tame (1,500). Area of the territory: approx. 40,000 sq. km.; total population: approx. 34,600 inhabitants, including approx. 30,000 white Catholics (plus 1,500 mestizos and 70 foreigners); 60 Protestants and approx. 3,000 pagans.
In 1939 pastoral care was conducted by 7 priests and 2 Lazarist brothers, assisted by 21 Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, assigned especially to the 7 schools in Tame and the 3 in Chita. Moral and religious progress is notable in the parishes of Chita and La Salina; elsewhere the state of the mission is lamentable due to the widespread immorality, ignorance or religious indifference of the inhabitants.