MALACCA, Diocese of. - It comprises the entire peninsula of the same name and measures 134,737 sq. km. in area. Politically it is under English influence and includes the English colony properly so called, the Straits Settlements of Singapore, M. and Benang, the English protectorate formed by the Federated Malay States of Perak, Salanger, Penang and Nagri Sembilan and by the Unfederated Malay States of Johore, Trengganu, Kenantan, Kedan and Perlis. The population totals 6,242,000 inhabitants.
Ecclesiastically the diocese of M., with its episcopal see at Singapore, although not forming part of India, is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Pondicherry and under the jurisdiction of the apostolic internunciature of India. The pastoral care is entrusted to the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris. Catholics number 95,624, served by 38 diocesan priests and 7 religious, assisted by 10 male and 13 female religious communities. It has 103 churches, of which 38 are parishes; 107 schools and 34 works of charity and welfare. The mission also possesses 3 printing presses, where a Catholic newspaper, The Malayan Catholic News, is printed in 5,000 copies.