Atamboea [Atambua], Apostolic Vicariate of

ATAMBOEA [ATAMBUA], APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - In Indonesia. It comprises the western part, under Dutch rule, of the island of Timor, the largest of the islands of the Lesser Sunda, and the islands of Roti, Savoe and Panter, while the eastern part, under Portuguese rule, constitutes the diocese of Dili. Erected in 1936 with territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of the Lesser Sunda, it was named the apostolic vicariate of Dutch Timor. By decree of the Propaganda Fide, dated 11 Nov. 1948, it took 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 there suffered a mortal blow, with the arrival of the Dutch. The Christian revival of this island was, subsequently, bound up with the fate of the islands of the Lesser Sunda.

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; Mohammedans 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 directs 47 elementary schools; 7 middle schools; one vocational and one teacher-training school. Principal stations 14; secondary 2.

The Catholic life may be considered very flourishing and can now be carried on in full freedom.

Edoardo Pecoraro