GOAJIRA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - The Capuchins of the regular province of Valencia in Spain began in 1693, in Colombia, the mission of G., Sierra Nevada, and Montilones, and established 20 Christian communities there. The War of Independence at the beginning of the last century interrupted the missionary work, which was resumed only in 1887 at the initiative of the bishop of S. Marta, on whom the territory depended, who recalled the Spanish Capuchins; they arrived there on 7 Jan. 1888.
The apostolic vicariate was erected on 17 Jan. 1905 by decree of the S. Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the two provinces of Padilla and Valledupar were attached to it by decree of 11 Nov.
1906 of the apostolic delegate of Colombia, approved by the S. Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. It is entrusted to the Capuchins and has an area of 46,000 sq. km. Priests 18, brothers 9, sisters 71, catechists 84. The population is approximately 126,547, of whom 113,014 are Catholics, catechumens 33, Protestants 160, pagans 13,340; parishes 13, primary stations 3, secondary stations 59, dispensaries 6, orphanages 9 with 175 boys and 310 girls, elementary schools 20 with 836 pupils, secondary schools 4 with 270 pupils. The printing press publishes two periodicals.