Hollandia [Jayapura], Prefecture Apostolic of

HOLLANDIA [JAYAPURA], PREFECTURE APOSTOLIC OF. - Located in Dutch New Guinea or Irian. It was erected on 12 May 1949, with territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of Dutch New Guinea (today Amboina), comprising the northern, central and western zones, along a line of demarcation extending from the borders of Australian Papua to the Gulf of Etna and from there, across the sea, to embrace the islands of Ternate, Tidore, Halmahera, Badjan and Morota, which form part of the Moluccas archipelago. On 24 June 1950 the aforementioned islands were detached in order to be reannexed to the apostolic vicariate of Amboina.

The mission of H. is entrusted to the Franciscan Friars Minor of the Seraphic Province of Holland, who began missionary work there in 1935. It has an area of 200,000 sq. km. and a population of about 290,000 inhabitants. There are 3,260 Catholics; 516 catechumens; 20 foreign priests; 3 foreign brothers; 13 foreign sisters; 48 catechists; 57 teachers; 49 elementary schools; 1 vocational school; 11 primary stations and 34 secondary ones; 3 churches; 47 chapels; one orphanage. H. is the city of residence of the Ordinary and also the seat of the civil governor of New Guinea.

Edoardo Pecorsio