TANGA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - It is situated in the northern part of Tanganyika, on the coast of the Indian Ocean, and is entrusted to the Institute of Charity (Rosminians). It was erected on 18 Apr. 1950 with territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of Kilima-Njaro.
It has an area of 28,037 sq. km., with a population of approximately 500,000 inhabitants. Catholics number 17,380 (of whom 5,610 are indigenous, 11,480 foreign, and 290 of mixed descent); catechumens 1,246; Eastern dissidents 747; Protestants 18,000; Mohammedans approximately 280,000; pagans approximately 180,000. There are 21 foreign priests, of whom 19 are Rosminians and 2 belong to the Congregation of the Holy Ghost; 2 foreign lay brothers (Rosminians) and 21 foreign nuns; 6 principal and 42 secondary stations, with 5 churches and 42 chapels; 1 hospital, 4 dispensaries, 2 orphanages, 1 leper colony, and 72 schools. During the past year there were 443 adult Baptisms. Catholic Action flourishes there. It is a mission at the beginning of its development and gives good hope of a fruitful apostolate in the coming years.