ATAMBOEA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. — In Indonesia. It comprises the western, Dutch-held part of the island of Timor, the largest of the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the islands of Roti, Savoe and Panter, while the eastern, Portuguese-held part forms the diocese of Dili. Erected in 1936 from territory detached from the Apostolic Vicariate of the Lesser Sunda Islands, it was named the Apostolic Vicariate of Dutch Timor. By decree of the Propaganda Fide dated 11 November 1948, it has taken the name of Atamboea, from the city of residence of the Ordinary.
It was the Portuguese who began the work of evangelization on the island of Timor in 1552. But in the 17th century, Catholicism suffered a mortal blow there with the arrival of the Dutch. The Christian recovery of this island was subsequently linked to the fate of the Lesser Sunda Islands.
The mission is entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word. It has an area of 26,000 sq. km. with a population of about 533,300 inhabitants. The number of Catholics is 75,572; catechumens 8,605; Protestants 160,000; Moslems 3,000; pagans 285,000; 21 Fathers of the Divine Word. Brothers 4. Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit 14. Catechists, 418 men and 5 women. There is no seminary; however, candidates for the priesthood can, without difficulty, be trained in the seminary of the nearby island of Flores. Major seminarians 2; minor 18. The mission runs 47 elementary schools; 7 intermediate; one professional and one teacher-training. Main stations 14; secondary 2.
Catholic life may be considered very flourishing and can now be carried on in full freedom.