Roman Catholicism in Trinidad and Tobago
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Church in Trinidad and Tobago is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope
and curia
in Rome
. The apostolic nuncio to Trinidad and Tobago is American
archbishop Thomas Edward Gullickson, who is also the apostolic nuncio to most other Caribbean nations.
There are just under 300,000 Catholics in the country. According to the 1990 census, Roman Catholics make up the largest religious group in the nation, at 29% of the population. The entire nation is administered as the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, which is divided into five episcopal vicariates. The archbishop
of Port of Spain
is a member of the Antilles Episcopal Conference
.
Missionary ventures to the country launched in the 16th century resulted in the death of a number of missionaries. The first Catholic church in Trinidad was built in 1591. Capuchins
worked there from 1618 to 1803. Missionary work continued after the British took control. In 1818, the Apostolic Vicariate
of Trinidad was established, which was elevated to the Archdiocese of Port of Spain in 1850.
Relations between Church and state are cordial; both want more native clergy.
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and curia
Curia (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholicism, a curia consists of a group of officials who assist in the governance of a particular Church. These curias range from the relatively simple diocesan curia, to the larger patriarchal curias, to the Roman Curia, which is the central government of the Catholic Church.Other...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The apostolic nuncio to Trinidad and Tobago is American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
archbishop Thomas Edward Gullickson, who is also the apostolic nuncio to most other Caribbean nations.
There are just under 300,000 Catholics in the country. According to the 1990 census, Roman Catholics make up the largest religious group in the nation, at 29% of the population. The entire nation is administered as the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, which is divided into five episcopal vicariates. The archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
is 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...
.
Missionary ventures to the country launched in the 16th century resulted in the death of a number of missionaries. The first Catholic church in Trinidad was built in 1591. Capuchins
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
worked there from 1618 to 1803. Missionary work continued after the British took control. In 1818, the Apostolic Vicariate
Apostolic vicariate
An apostolic vicariate is a form of territorial jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church established in missionary regions and countries that do not have a diocese. It is essentially provisional, though it may last for a century or more...
of Trinidad was established, which was elevated to the Archdiocese of Port of Spain in 1850.
Relations between Church and state are cordial; both want more native clergy.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of SpainRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of SpainThe 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...
- Religion in Trinidad and TobagoReligion in Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago is a multi-religious nation. The largest religious groups are the Roman Catholics and Hindus; the Anglicans, Muslims, Presbyterians, Methodist are among the smaller faiths...