Leticia, Apostolic Prefecture of

LETICIA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. - In Colombia, it is one of the three autonomous missions erected on 7 February 1951 by dismemberment of the apostolic vicariate of Caquetá (v.). The extent of that vicariate, with an area of 253,511 sq km, and the limited means of communication advised its division into the two apostolic vicariates of Sibundoy and Florencia, and the apostolic prefecture of L.

The apostolic vicariate of Florencia embraces the entire intendancy of Caquetá with an area of 190,360 sq km and about 70,000 inhabitants. Eight Fathers of the Consolata work there. The region is divided into 4 municipalities: Florencia, S. Vincente del Caguam, Belem and Leguisamo. Florencia, the capital of the intendancy and seat of the Ordinary, has a population of about 30,000 people, a large church and two hospitals, one directed by nuns and the other military. The school system is entrusted entirely to the mission.

The apostolic prefecture of L., comprising the entire "commissariat" of Amazonas, has an area of 121,900 sq km with about 500 inhabitants, who should increase as a result of colonization from other parts of Colombia in a relatively short time. The Capuchins of Catalonia, who attend to its evangelization, number 10; their work is made difficult by the unhealthy climate. The schools are little developed; the main towns, besides L., the capital of the commissariat and seat of the apostolic prefect, are La Chorrea and La Pedrera, where two orphanages run by Franciscan sisters of the Third Order are in operation.