BHAMO, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. — It was erected in 1938 with territory detached from the Vicariate of Northern Burma (whose name was changed on that occasion to Mandalay). It is entrusted to the (Irish) missionaries of the Society of St Columban for the Chinese Missions. It covers an area of approximately 100,000 sq km and has an estimated population of between 600,000 and 700,000 souls. The northernmost part is inhabited by still savage and uncontrolled tribes among whom human sacrifice is still practised and for which reliable statistics cannot be obtained. The southern part comprises the civil districts of Bhamo, Myitkyina and Katha (except for the Mogok district) with an area of 58,176 sq km and 718,615 inhabitants (Burmese and Shan, Buddhist in religion, and Kachin, animists). Protestants number about 16,000; Catholics, almost all of Kachin stock, about 3,802; and catechumens 4,206.
The prefecture has 10 missionary residences with as many small wooden churches, and 33 priests. There are 16 sisters who attend to various orphanages and schools. In the 17th and 18th centuries some missionaries passed through here on their way to Tibet.