SINTANG, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. - It comprises the whole and only the civil province of the same name, in the central part of what was formerly Dutch Borneo. This territory was erected into an apostolic prefecture on 11 March 1948 by separation from the apostolic vicariate of Pontianak.
In 1890 two Jesuits from Batavia established the first mission station at Smitau. The following year they moved to Sedjiram, a locality more favorable to the work of evangelization. But they were forced to abandon it for lack of personnel. In 1906 the Dutch Capuchins re-established the station left by the Jesuits, and in 1910 they erected the new station of Landjak among the Batang-Lupar. When attempts to convert those fierce tribes proved vain, the Capuchins moved their tents from Landjak to Benua-Martinua. In 1927 they founded the station of Nazareth, in the upper part of the Kapuas River. In 1931, to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Anthony, who had opened a hospital in S., there was added a priest for spiritual assistance. This city subsequently became the central seat of missionary activity. In 1939 a small band of Montfortians came to the aid of the Capuchins. During the Japanese war all the missionaries were concentrated at Sarawak, but in 1946 they were able to return to their stations. With the arrival of ten more Montfortians from Europe, the Capuchins gradually yielded their place to the newcomers, until they withdrew completely.
The mission of S. has an area of 90,000 sq. km. and a population of 202,444 inhabitants, of whom 69,390 are Mohammedans, 1,000 Protestants, 121,285 indigenous pagans and 7,170 Chinese pagans. Catholics number 3,396 with 422 catechumens. There are 14 priests, one of whom is Indonesian; 3 brothers; 30 sisters; 2 minor seminarians; 14 catechists; 4 hospitals; 4 dispensaries; 22 elementary schools; 6 sacred buildings; 7 primary stations and 13 secondary ones.
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Edoardo Pecoraro