Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown is a diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
in the Caribbean
. The diocese encompasses the entirety of the former British dependency of Barbados
. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain
, and a member of the Antilles Episcopal Conference
.
Erected in 1970 as the Diocese of Bridgetown-Kingstown, the diocese was split on 23 October 1989 into the Diocese of Bridgetown and the Diocese of Kingstown
. The diocese is currently Vacant, since the retirement of Bishop Malcolm Galt in May 2005.
In 2009, the Mayor of the Irish city of Drogheda
presented Father Harcourt Blackett with a scroll to commemorate the 360th anniversary of the deportation of Irish Catholics to Barbados. The Irish Catholic migrants formed the basis of the Catholic Church in Barbados. Historically the Church of England
was the official state religion in the colony of Barbados, and the Irish Catholics that practiced their faith were forced to worship and practice their religion in underground caves in Barbados. Specifically Indian cave and Chapel cave both in the northern parts of Barbados have been identified as having been used as such. Father Blackett said he expected to receive more scrolls from other Irish cities which Barbados has a historic link including Wexford
and Waterford
. He also proposed the establishment of a shrine in the Caves in Barbados to remember those that worshiped there in the past.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. The diocese encompasses the entirety of the former British dependency of Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of Spain
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of Spain is a metropolitan diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caribbean. The Archdiocese encompasses the entirety of the former Spanish dependency of Trinidad, including the islands of Trinidad and Tobago...
, and a member of the Antilles Episcopal Conference
Antilles Episcopal Conference
The Antilles Episcopal Conference is a Roman Catholic episcopal conference. Its members are bishops and archbishops from current and former British, Dutch, and French colonies and dependencies in the Caribbean , Central America, and northern South America. The conference's membership includes five...
.
Erected in 1970 as the Diocese of Bridgetown-Kingstown, the diocese was split on 23 October 1989 into the Diocese of Bridgetown and the Diocese of Kingstown
Roman Catholic Diocese of Kingstown
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kingstown is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caribbean. The diocese comprises the entirety of the nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines...
. The diocese is currently Vacant, since the retirement of Bishop Malcolm Galt in May 2005.
In 2009, the Mayor of the Irish city of Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
presented Father Harcourt Blackett with a scroll to commemorate the 360th anniversary of the deportation of Irish Catholics to Barbados. The Irish Catholic migrants formed the basis of the Catholic Church in Barbados. Historically the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
was the official state religion in the colony of Barbados, and the Irish Catholics that practiced their faith were forced to worship and practice their religion in underground caves in Barbados. Specifically Indian cave and Chapel cave both in the northern parts of Barbados have been identified as having been used as such. Father Blackett said he expected to receive more scrolls from other Irish cities which Barbados has a historic link including Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
. He also proposed the establishment of a shrine in the Caves in Barbados to remember those that worshiped there in the past.
Ordinaries
- Anthony Hampden Dickson (19 October 1970 – 23 April 1995)
- Malcolm Patrick Galt C.S.Sp. (23 April 1995 – 31 May 2005)
- Charles Jason GordonCharles Jason GordonMsgr Jason Gordon was ordained bishop of Bridgetown and Kingstown on the 21st of September 2011. Jason Gordon was ordained a priest in 1991....
(8 July 2011 – present)