Multiple comments are commenting that even with a try/catch, the error still crashes the app.

From https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/154855417#comment39

This happens even with a MapView.onCreate call for me, even when encased in a try / catch error. So beyond the fact that Google Maps isn't working, the Google Maps library isn't handling the error throwing properly and is bypassing the app's ability to catch errors.

From https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/154855417#comment86

instead of crashing the app even though try/catch is used and this cryptic message cited above.