TUNKI, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF
In the south-eastern part of Anhwei province, in central China.
It was erected on 22 February 1937 from six civil sub-prefectures of the Wuhu mission (v.) and entrusted to the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), who had been present in the area since October 1933. It covers an area of approximately 12,000 sq km. As of 30 June 1948, with a total population of about 2,500,000, there were 2,116 Catholics and 652 catechumens; 18 priests, 5 lay brothers; 18 sisters, of whom 8 were Chinese; and 5 seminarians. Among its works were five dispensaries, nine schools with 28 teachers and 80 pupils.
The mountainous nature of Tunkí’s territory, the lack of roads until recent years, and above all the scarcity of personnel have limited the progress of Christianity in the region. At the time of its erection, Tunkí counted 1,902 baptised and 1,804 catechumens distributed across twelve Christian communities, of which only seven had a resident missionary.