FORT JAMESON, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - The territory of the apostolic prefecture of F. J. was detached from the apostolic vicariate of Nyassa and from that of Loangwa on 1 July 1937. It has an area of 36,000 sq. km. and a population of approximately 548,000 inhabitants belonging to numerous Bantu tribes. Of the 3 civil districts into which the territory is divided, that of F. J. is the most populous (125,000 inhabitants). The great mass is pagan; Muslims number only a few hundred, but the major obstacle is Protestantism, which here preceded Catholicism, becoming established in 1898.
The White Fathers work there; they number 20, assisted by 2 indigenous priests, 6 brothers, and 5 sisters. The Catholics number 31,532, the catechumens 3,153, and the postulants 18,302. The 140 elementary schools educate 10,287 pupils, while the 7 secondary schools are attended by 761 pupils. Many others receive instruction in the 3 vocational and 2 teacher-training schools. There are 7 principal stations and 68 subsidiary ones, nor are charitable works lacking.