Charles Caruana
Encyclopedia
Charles Caruana CBE
(9 October 1932, Gibraltar
– 1 October 2010, Gibraltar) was a Gibraltarian
Roman Catholic bishop of Maltese descent
. He was appointed sixth Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
on 14 February 1998 and ordained on 24 May 1998. His retirement request was accepted on 18 March 2010. He died at St Bernard's Hospital
, Gibraltar on 1 October 2010 following a bout of ill health.
of Gibraltar (now a British overseas territory
). His ancestors were part of a group of Caruana
s that settled in Gibraltar
from their home in Malta
during the 1800s. His great grandfather moved to Gibraltar with his grandfather and his four great uncles. This rendered Caruana a second-generation Gibraltarian. At the time of his birth, his family lived in Lynch's Lane, just off Main Street
.
During World War II he was evacuated with his family to London where he spent six months in Notting Hill Gate tube station
seeking shelter from the bombings. He was first educated by the Christian Brothers
when he was later re-evacuated to Northern Ireland
. He already felt a religious calling by the age of 13 to 14, wanting to become a Christian Brother himself. On his return to Gibraltar, he joined the civil service, working in the Central Employment Exchange for four years.
in the United Kingdom, where he spent six years studying. He was ordained on 24 May 1959 starting work in the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
and later at the Sacred Heart Church, where he remained parish priest for 12 years. He later returned to the Cathedral to take on the role of administrator. He also spent some time as prison chaplain at Moorish Castle
.
by Pope John Paul II
. He was ordained Bishop on 24 May of the same year. On his birthday in 2007 he tendered his resignation to the Holy See
, according to canon law
provisos. On 18 March 2010 the Holy See announced that his resignation had been accepted and his successor as Bishop of Gibraltar would be the English redemptorist priest Ralph Heskett
.
in 2008, receiving the award from Her Majesty
Elizabeth II in March 2008. He was also invested in 2003 by HRH Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
, as an Knight Commander of Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
. The festival became so successful that the festival was to become an annual event.
, one of the Catholic patron saint
s of Gibraltar.
Caruana died at St Bernard's Hospital
on Friday 1 October 2010 at around 6 am. He had been in and out of hospital as he had been in poor health for a number of months but his health is believed to have deteriorated rapidly following a fall just over a week prior to his death, just 8 days before his 78th birthday. Flags around Gibraltar, like those at the Moorish Castle
, No. 6 Convent Place, The Convent
and other public buildings were flown at half-mast as a symbol of respect
. His body, robed in his full pontificals, lay in state
at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
until his funeral, allowing the public to file past the catafalque
to pay their respects. His funeral was on Tuesday 4 October 2010 at John Mackintosh Square
, where his body was carried in procession
from the Cathedral. After the service he was buried in the crypt beneath the Cathedral.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(9 October 1932, Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
– 1 October 2010, Gibraltar) was a Gibraltarian
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
Roman Catholic bishop of Maltese descent
History of the Maltese in Gibraltar
A Maltese community has existed in Gibraltar since shortly after the British conquest in 1704. Gibraltar, Malta and Cyprus were the three stepping stones whereby Great Britain controlled the Mediterranean and the vital route to the Suez Canal and thence to India...
. He was appointed sixth Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
The Bishop of Gibraltar is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar which is immediately subject to the Holy See.The see is in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar where the bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral of St...
on 14 February 1998 and ordained on 24 May 1998. His retirement request was accepted on 18 March 2010. He died at St Bernard's Hospital
St Bernard's Hospital
St Bernard's Hospital is the only civilian general hospital in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.-Juan Mateos:In 1567, during Gibraltar's Spanish period, a retired Spanish innkeeper by the name of Juan Mateos converted his house into a 20 bed hospital...
, Gibraltar on 1 October 2010 following a bout of ill health.
Early life
Charles Caruana was born on 9 October 1932 in the British colonyCrown colony
A Crown colony, also known in the 17th century as royal colony, was a type of colonial administration of the English and later British Empire....
of Gibraltar (now a British overseas territory
British overseas territories
The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
). His ancestors were part of a group of Caruana
Caruana
Caruana may refer to:*Alfonso Caruana , a member of the Sicilian Mafia*Antonio Annetto Caruana , a Maltese archaeologist and author*Charles Caruana CBE , Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar...
s that settled in Gibraltar
History of the Maltese in Gibraltar
A Maltese community has existed in Gibraltar since shortly after the British conquest in 1704. Gibraltar, Malta and Cyprus were the three stepping stones whereby Great Britain controlled the Mediterranean and the vital route to the Suez Canal and thence to India...
from their home in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
during the 1800s. His great grandfather moved to Gibraltar with his grandfather and his four great uncles. This rendered Caruana a second-generation Gibraltarian. At the time of his birth, his family lived in Lynch's Lane, just off Main Street
Main Street, Gibraltar
Main Street is the main arterial street in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.Main Street is recognised today as Gibraltar’s main commercial and shopping district...
.
During World War II he was evacuated with his family to London where he spent six months in Notting Hill Gate tube station
Notting Hill Gate tube station
Notting Hill Gate tube station is a London Underground station in the street known as Notting Hill Gate. On the Central Line, it is between Holland Park to the west and Queensway to the east. On the District Line and Circle Line it is between High Street Kensington and Bayswater stations...
seeking shelter from the bombings. He was first educated by the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
when he was later re-evacuated to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. He already felt a religious calling by the age of 13 to 14, wanting to become a Christian Brother himself. On his return to Gibraltar, he joined the civil service, working in the Central Employment Exchange for four years.
Priesthood
Caruana eventually went off to a SeminarySeminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in the United Kingdom, where he spent six years studying. He was ordained on 24 May 1959 starting work in the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Gibraltar. It is the primary centre of Catholic worship in the Diocese of Gibraltar.-15th Century:The original building of the current cathedral was built during the Spanish period...
and later at the Sacred Heart Church, where he remained parish priest for 12 years. He later returned to the Cathedral to take on the role of administrator. He also spent some time as prison chaplain at Moorish Castle
Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle is the name given to a Medieval fortification in Gibraltar, made up of various buildings, gates, fortified walls and its most dominant features, the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. The former is clearly visible to all visitors to Gibraltar, not only because of its striking...
.
Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
On 14 February 1999, Father Caruana was the second Gibraltarian to have been appointed Roman Catholic Bishop of GibraltarRoman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
The Bishop of Gibraltar is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar which is immediately subject to the Holy See.The see is in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar where the bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral of St...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He was ordained Bishop on 24 May of the same year. On his birthday in 2007 he tendered his resignation to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, according to canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
provisos. On 18 March 2010 the Holy See announced that his resignation had been accepted and his successor as Bishop of Gibraltar would be the English redemptorist priest Ralph Heskett
Ralph Heskett
Ralph Heskett, C.Ss.R. is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar.He was educated from 1964-69 at Saint Aidan's, Sunderland, a Christian Brothers school. He was a seminarian from 1969-70, where he attended the Redemptorist Minor Seminary in Birmingham...
.
Honours
Bishop Caruana was appointed Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 2008, receiving the award from Her Majesty
Majesty
Majesty is an English word derived ultimately from the Latin maiestas, meaning "greatness".- Origin :Originally, during the Roman republic, the word maiestas was the legal term for the supreme status and dignity of the state, to be respected above everything else...
Elizabeth II in March 2008. He was also invested in 2003 by HRH Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro is one of two claimants to the headship of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.-Early life and education:...
, as an Knight Commander of Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
Gibraltar Song Festival
Bishop Caruana was instrumental in initiating the Gibraltar Song Festival. He first thought of the idea as a way of raising funds to build the Community CentreCommunity centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
. The festival became so successful that the festival was to become an annual event.
Works
Bishop Caruana is the author of several books about his home town. In 1989 he published The Rock Under A Cloud. In 2009, he authored History of Our Lady of Europe, a book published by the Vatican Press as part of the commemoration of the 700 years of devotion of Our Lady of EuropeOur Lady of Europe
Our Lady of Europe is a consecrated title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gibraltar, where devotion began, and to a lesser extent in Algeciras, Spain. The entire European continent was consecrated under the protection of Our Lady of Europe in the early 14th century from the Shrine in Gibraltar...
, one of the Catholic patron saint
Patron saints of places
This article features a list of patron saints of places by nation, region and town/city. If a place is not here it may be in Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.- Supranational :*Benedict of Nursia – main patron saint of Europe*Bridget of Sweden – Europe...
s of Gibraltar.
Death
Bishop EmeritusEmeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
Caruana died at St Bernard's Hospital
St Bernard's Hospital
St Bernard's Hospital is the only civilian general hospital in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.-Juan Mateos:In 1567, during Gibraltar's Spanish period, a retired Spanish innkeeper by the name of Juan Mateos converted his house into a 20 bed hospital...
on Friday 1 October 2010 at around 6 am. He had been in and out of hospital as he had been in poor health for a number of months but his health is believed to have deteriorated rapidly following a fall just over a week prior to his death, just 8 days before his 78th birthday. Flags around Gibraltar, like those at the Moorish Castle
Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle is the name given to a Medieval fortification in Gibraltar, made up of various buildings, gates, fortified walls and its most dominant features, the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. The former is clearly visible to all visitors to Gibraltar, not only because of its striking...
, No. 6 Convent Place, The Convent
The Convent (Gibraltar)
The Convent has been the official residence of the Governor of Gibraltar since 1728. It was originally a convent of Franciscan friars, hence its name, and was completed in 1531....
and other public buildings were flown at half-mast as a symbol of respect
Respect
Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity , and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected...
. His body, robed in his full pontificals, lay in state
Lying in state
Lying in state is a term used to describe the tradition in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the deceased. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city...
at the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Gibraltar. It is the primary centre of Catholic worship in the Diocese of Gibraltar.-15th Century:The original building of the current cathedral was built during the Spanish period...
until his funeral, allowing the public to file past the catafalque
Catafalque
A catafalque is a raised bier, soapbox, or similar platform, often movable, that is used to support the casket, coffin, or body of the deceased during a funeral or memorial service. Following a Roman Catholic Requiem Mass, a catafalque may be used to stand in place of the body at the Absolution of...
to pay their respects. His funeral was on Tuesday 4 October 2010 at John Mackintosh Square
John Mackintosh Square
John Mackintosh Square is a main square in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It has been the centre of city life since the 14th century and takes its name from John Mackintosh, a local philanthropist...
, where his body was carried in procession
Procession
A procession is an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner.-Procession elements:...
from the Cathedral. After the service he was buried in the crypt beneath the Cathedral.
External links
- Profile at Catholic Hierarchy website
- "A golden jubilee for Bishop Caruana", Gibraltar ChronicleGibraltar ChronicleThe Gibraltar Chronicle is a national newspaper published in Gibraltar since 1801. It became a daily in 1821. It is Gibraltar's oldest established daily newspaper and the world's second oldest English language newspaper to have been in print continuously...
, 26 May 2009