SANT'ANDREA AND PROVIDENZA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. — It is situated in the Caribbean Sea to the east of Nicaragua and comprises the islands of S. A., P. and S. Catarina.
It was established as a sui iuris mission by decree of the S. Congreg. Consistorial on 20 June 1912 and entrusted to the Society of Mill Hill, and on 20 May 1926 to the Capuchins. On 14 Nov. 1946 it was elevated to a prefecture. It has an area of approximately 52,000 sq. km., with approximately 7,000 inhabitants, of whom approximately 1,750 are Catholics and 2,630 Protestants. There are 5 priests, 20 sisters, 2 parishes, 3 primary stations, 5 secondary stations, 16 elementary schools, and 1 middle school.
BIBL.: MC, 1950, pp. 43-44.