The diocese of Manokwari-Sorong is located in West Papua province. It covers an area of 111.835 square kilometers, with total population of 760.885 people consisting of 79.314 Catholics and 681.541 non-Catholics.
Historically, it started as apostolic vicariate of Hollanda, which then elevated to the apostolic prefecture of Manokwari on Dec. 19, 1959. It was then promoted as diocese of Manokwari on Nov. 15, 1966.
On May 14, 1974, the name was changed to the diocese of Manokwari-Sorong.
Access to the diocese can be through sea, air, and land. Land transportation is limited due the mountainous condition of Papua.
Land transportation is accessible in the cities of Manokwari and Sorong. But it takes days to reach remote villages or if people want to come to the cities.
Transportation to the cities of Manokwari and Sorong from other parts of Papua is mainly through air and sea. Sorong is a main gate for sea and air transport, not only to West Papua province, but also to Papua region.
The Manokwari and Sorong region, just like other parts of West Papua, comprises of high mountains and low lands. The region also has high level of rains, 2.283mm/year, and it has huge potentials in marine, agricultural, farming, mining, and tourism sectors.
Mobile phone companies have started operations years ago in West Papua. However, many people living in remote areas cannot access the internet or even television. The government continues to air radio, telephone, and television networks in some parts.
Recently Lippo Group Indonesia and JSAT, Japan’s biggest telecommunication satellite established telecommunication network in Papua. It is hoped that it will enable people in the remote areas of Papua to get connected to internet and television.
The ministry of education reported that the education in West Papua region, particularly elementary schools, is far behind other provinces in Indonesia. It is partly because the people have not realized the importance of education, and also because there is lack of school facilities. Church-run schools then play important role in the education of the Papuans.
