TEFFÉ, PRELATURA NULLIUS OF. - It is situated in the western part of the Amazon.
In 1718 the Carmelite Andrea da Costa began the mission of T. for the Indians, and in 1759 the place was elevated to a parish and city. In 1798 the secular clergy succeeded the Carmelites. In 1897 the Spiritans established themselves at Bocca do T. to found a primary and professional school, which flourished for about thirty years. In 1907 they were entrusted with the parish of T., and on May 23, 1910 the apostolic prefecture of T. was erected with territory detached from the diocese of Amazzoni or Manáos. From 1912 to 1915 the territory of Alto Jurna was also united to the prefecture. On May 11, 1950 it was elevated to a prelature nullius.
It has an area of approx. 333,932 sq. km. with approx. 54,000 civilized inhabitants in the inhabited centers. There are also Indians in a wild state. There are 18 churches, 6 parishes, 14 missionaries. Catholics number approx. 51,872 (Ann. Pont. 1953, p. 675).