MASWA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE. - In the north-western part of the territory of Tanganyika, on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria, entrusted to the Society of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers).
It was erected on 11 April 1946 from part of the Mwanza (v.) and was named Musoma-M.: it in fact also included the territory of Musoma. The latter was made independent on 24 June 1950 and erected Musoma (v.), entrusted to the Fathers of the Maryknoll Society for Foreign Missions, who had been working there since 1946.
The apostolic vicariate of M. currently has an area of 40,760 sq. km., with approximately 300,000 inhabitants. In 1950 it had slightly more than 3,000 Catholics and 3,000 catechumens, more than 3,000 Muslims, approximately 600 Protestants, and over 280,000 pagans; 15 foreign missionaries and 3 foreign lay brothers (all White Fathers); 79 catechists; 7 elementary schools.
It is a vicariate beginning to develop amid considerable difficulties, due especially to the dispersion of Catholics among the mass of pagans, the scarcity of catechists and teachers, and the proselytism of Muslims and Protestants, whereas in general the indigenous chiefs are favourable to the Catholic missionaries.