Arauca, Apostolic Prefecture of

ARAUCA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. - This prefecture, erected in Colombia (South America) by decree of the Sacred Congregation Consistorial of 26 May 1915, by dismemberment of the northern part of the vicariate of Casanare (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° and 7° south latitude and from 71° to 75° west longitude (Paris). The eastern region consists of a vast marshy plain, slightly uneven (average height 250 m. above sea level); the western region is mountainous (1500-3000 m. above sea level), and populated. Main centers: Chita (18,000 inhabitants), Arauca (3000), La Salina (2000), Tame (1500). Area of the territory: about 40,000 sq. km.; total population: about 34,600 inhabitants, among whom about 30,000 white Catholics (plus 1500 mestizos and 70 foreigners); 60 Protestants and about 3000 pagans.

The pastoral care was conducted in 1939 by 7 priests and 2 Lazarist brothers, assisted by 21 sisters, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, assigned especially to the 7 schools of Tame and the 3 of Chita. Moral and religious progress is notable in the parishes of Chita and La Salina; elsewhere the state of the mission is deplorable because of the widespread immorality, ignorance or religious indifference of the inhabitants.

Giuseppe Monticone