AYSÉN, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. – In South America. This prefecture was created on 17 February 1940, by the division of the southern part of the diocese of S. Carlo di Ancucl (Chile). It comprises the province of A. (Chilean Patagonia), between 43° and 48° south latitude. Area of the territory: 110,000 sq. km., including the islands. Part of the territory is still unexplored. The inhabitants (about 20,000), almost all of the white race, of Spanish stock; few are the Indians (properly mixed-race), descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Patagonia and Araucania. Common language: Spanish. Numerous is the colony of Catholic Arabs, natives of the Mediterranean East, engaged in commerce. Principal centres: Puerto A. (pop. 3,500) and Coyhaique (over 2,000); smaller centres, separated by enormous distances, connected by very poor communications: Balmaceda (pop. 500), Chichicco (400), Puerto Ibáñez, Río Claro, Palena, Futaleufú, Chaitén, etc.
The first missionaries (three religious and two lay brothers) belonging to the Venetian province of the Servants of Mary, to whom the prefecture is entrusted, left Italy on 15 August 1937, invited by the bishop of S. Carlo di Ancucl, Msgr. Ramón Munita Eyzaguirre. At present there are 5 priests and an equal number of lay brothers, assisted by 12 sisters.