Yungkia, Diocese Of

YUNGKIA, DIOCESE of. – In the southeastern part of Chekiang Province (central China).

It was established as a diocese, suffragan of Hangchow, on 3 March 1949, with that tract of territory belonging to the Ningpo mission but which had remained detached from it following the establishment Taichow (v.): it is entrusted to the Chinese secular clergy. Area approx. 10,000 sq km, with approx. 3 million inhabitants, of whom 34,074 are Catholics; 28 priests, all Chinese; 1 hospital, 1 asylum, 10 orphanages, 16 schools, 18 churches, 163 chapels (30 June 1947).

From 1880 to 1900 evangelization was slow and limited to the center of Wenchow; from 1911 to 1935, another 8 centers were added. From 1932 to 1946, Polish Lazarists worked in this district.