GIBRALTAR. - A rocky peninsula that closes the Bay of Algeciras on the east, at the southern extremity of Spain, barring the entrance to the Mediterranean.
So called (Gobel at-Tāriq, "Mount of Tāriq") in memory of the leader who in 711 led the Arabs into Spain, it was conquered in 1704 by the English, who made it a fortified stronghold. As a military colony it is governed by the commander of the garrison (governor), assisted by an executive council of 7 members. The isthmus zone between Gibraltar and Spain (0.81 sq km) is neutral territory.
On 5 sq km lives a civilian population of 22,532 inhabitants (1948), Spanish-speaking and of the Catholic religion. The port is a much-frequented stop for merchant ships.
Bibliography3 works
Giuseppe Caraci
THE DIOCESE OF GIBRALTAR
The peninsula of G. received its first evangelization with the Spanish conquest (1492). In a short time the Catholic religion made numerous converts and the parish of St. Mary the Crowned was able to be founded, placed under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Cadiz. After the English occupation (1704) took place, the inhabitants abandoned the territory almost en masse, Catholic worship was forbidden and ecclesiastical property passed to the Protestants.
In 1771 England established there, for religious government, a commission of seniores which remained in office for several years, preventing any Catholic initiative. In 1806 the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, since the bishop of Cadiz was unable to provide for the care of the faithful of the peninsula, directly appointed as parish priest of the territory the priest Isidoro Dominguez, who attended to the spiritual needs of the new colonists, for the most part Genoese, called by the English. In 1817 the apostolic vicariate of G. was erected, which became a diocese on 19 Nov. 1910 and was entrusted to the Benedictine Fathers of the Primitive Observance. The territory of this ordinariate comprises the whole peninsula with an area of 5.62 sq km. There are 20,246 Catholics, the majority of Italian origin; others Spanish and others of English and Irish origin. The total population is 23,868 inhabitants, of whom 886 are Jews, about 5,082 Protestants and a hundred Muslims. The English government shows itself tolerant toward Catholics. The clergy is made up of 6 local priests and 13 foreign ones. There are moreover some Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sisters of Loreto. The diocese has two parishes, 5 primary stations, with three churches and three chapels. The Catholic schools are divided into 8 elementary, 3 middle and 2 vocational. There are 2 orphanages and 2 homes for the aged.
Bibliography3 works
Antonio Mazza