In 1959 the Catholics numbered 184,000, and Protestants were 225,000; most of the Protestants were Baptists. The Catholics began transferring control from the missionaries to local elements in 1959, with the appointment of the Archbishop of Mandalay who is a descendant of Portuguese who arrived in the 17th century.
By 1959, the Catholic population consisted of approximately 184,000 people, while Protestant numbers reached around 225,000, with most being Baptists. The Catholics began transitioning control from foreign missionaries to local leaders in 1959, marking a significant shift, as exemplified by the appointment of the Archbishop of Mandalay, who is a direct descendant of Portuguese immigrants who arrived centuries earlier.