Prefecture Apostolic of Solimôes Superiore

A prefecture Apostolic in the State of Amazonas, Brazil, erected by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Consistory, 23 May, 1910. The territory of this prefecture forms a part of the extensive Diocese of Manaos or of Amazonas, from which it was separated at the same time with the territory of Toffé, which last forms another prefecture Apostolic. Solimôes is situated between the left bank of the Amazon and the River Jacura, a tributary of the former; the territory is traversed by a great number of watercourses and natural canals. The region has as yet been little explored, and little has been done in the way of preaching the Gospel, as is the case with all the regions along the tributaries of the Amazon. In recent years the Holy See has devoted its attention to the problem of evangelizing these vast but sparsely populated regions. The mission of Solimôes is intrusted to the Capuchin Fathers. (See "Acta S. Sedis", Rome, 1 July, 1910.)

U. BENIGNI