LABRADOR. – A vast (1.3 million sq km) peninsula of North America, lying between the Atlantic, Hudson Bay, and the lower course of the St Lawrence. Probably sighted as early as about the year 1000 by the Vikings, it was discovered in 1497 by Giovanni Caboto.
After the discovery of Canada by Cartier, it was subjected to French sovereignty; with the Peace of Paris of 1763, which marked the end of French rule in Canada, L. passed under British authority. Dependent on the governor of Newfoundland from 1763 to 1773 and on that of Canada from 1773 to 1809, when L. once again came under the jurisdiction of the governor of Newfoundland, it became the subject of a dispute over the delimitation of its boundaries, submitted to the arbitration of the King’s Privy Council, which in 1927 assigned the territory to Newfoundland. In July 1948 the government of Newfoundland submitted to a referendum of the population the question of whether or not it wished to form a union with Canada. The electorate’s response was affirmative, and consequently, from 31 March 1949, Newfoundland and L. adopted this new political regime.
Silvio Furlani
APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF L. — Situated in the eastern regions of Canada, it was erected on 13 July 1945 with territory detached from the dioceses of Harbour Grace and Gulf of St. Lawrence and from the Apostolic Vicariate of Hudson Bay. The territory, almost entirely undeveloped, extends over an area of approximately 500,000 sq. km. The missionaries use sledges for their journeys and, when the weather permits, small boats on the waterways. There are no large cities in the mission. The most populous is Goose Bay, a military base with 500 civilians and 2,500 soldiers.
The population, numbering approximately 11,750 inhabitants, consists of Indians, Eskimos, and whites. The former live south of Hudson Bay: they lead a nomadic life and speak the Montagnais dialect; they are difficult to convert, but the few who embrace Catholicism display a firm faith. The Eskimos are found in the northern part of the vicariate, on the eastern coast of Hudson Bay and in Ungava Bay: they number approximately 2,000; their life is very harsh and primitive, they derive their livelihood from fishing, and they are reluctant to accept evangelization. The whites are scattered along the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and L.: intelligent and industrious, they live by fishing and hunting; they speak English and French. This variety of races makes the spread of Catholicism difficult. The Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate, to whom the mission is entrusted, employ every means at their disposal to assist also materially in the development of that region and thus make life less harsh. The statistical data submitted to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda in 1950 may be summarized as follows: 6 national and 8 foreign priests; lay brothers: 3 national and 1 foreign; 19 teachers. There are 20 elementary schools with 260 pupils; 10 primary stations and 11 secondary ones. The missionaries are also promoting the development of charitable institutions (hospitals, orphanages, and shelters). The residence of the Ordinary is located at Lourdes de Blanc Sablon (Saguenay County, Province of Québec).