HOLLANDIA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE. - Situated in Dutch New Guinea or Irian. It was erected on 12 May 1949, with territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of Dutch New Guinea (now Amboina), comprising the northern, central, and western regions, according to a boundary line extending from the borders of Australian Papua to Etna Gulf and thence, across the sea, so as to include the islands of Ternate, Tidore, Halmahera, Badjan, and Morota, forming part of the Moluccan archipelago. On 24 June 1950 the aforementioned islands were detached in order to be reattached 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 approximately 290,000 inhabitants. There are 3,260 Catholics; 516 catechumens; 20 foreign priests; 3 foreign brothers; 13 foreign nuns; 48 catechists; 57 teachers; 49 elementary schools; 1 vocational school; 11 principal and 34 secondary stations; 3 churches; 47 chapels; and an orphanage. H. is the city of residence of the Ordinary and also the seat of the civil governor of New Guinea.