NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Diocese of Gozo

Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, second in size to the island of Malta. In Maltese, the island is called Għawdex (pronounced áw-desh). Gozo is part of the country of Malta. Anthem: L-Innu Malti Translation: The Maltese Anthem Capital Valletta Largest city Birkirkara Maltese, English Government Republic - President Edward Fenech Adami - Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi Independence - From United Kingdom September 21, 1964 - Republic December 13, 1974 Accession to EU May 1, 2004 Area - Total 316 kmÂ² (185th) 121 sq mi... For the oceanographic term, see Mediterranean sea (oceanography). ... Map. ...

Geography

Gozo is 67 km² in size, which is approximately the same size as Hong Kong Island. It lies approximately 6 km northwest from the nearest point of Malta, is of oval form, 14 km in length and 7.25 km in extreme breadth. Gozo is famed for its character and places of interest. Some of these are the Calypso cave, the Ġgantija Neolithic temples which is the oldest man made structure. It is more picturesque than the larger sister island of Malta, and the land is more fertile. Map of Malta, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF File links The following pages link to this file: Malta Geography of Malta Gozo Island Categories: CIA World Factbook images ... Map of Malta, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF File links The following pages link to this file: Malta Geography of Malta Gozo Island Categories: CIA World Factbook images ... The night view of the Island side as seen from the Kowloon side - the opposite side of the Victoria Harbour Hong Kong Island (Traditional Chinese: é¦™æ¸¯å³¶; Simplified Chinese: é¦™æ¸¯å²›; Cantonese Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 dou2; Mandarin Pinyin: XiÄnggÇŽngdÇŽo) is the island where the colonial settlement of the Hong Kong territory... Ggantija temple Ä gantija (also Ggantia) is a megalithic temple complex on the Mediterranean island of Gozo (part of Malta). ...

Gozo's finest attribute is the stunning Ramla Bay, whose lurid orange-red sand and crystal clear turquoise waters make it one of the finest beaches in Europe. Nearby San Blas is another world-class beach. Ramla Bay is located at the bottom of a rich and fertile valley on the northern side of the island of Gozo. ... San Blas is the Spanish name for Saint Blaise. ...

Demography

In 2005, the island had a population of 31,053, of whom 6,414 live in its capital Rabat, also known as Victoria. The crude birth rate was 7.93, considerably lower than that of 9.59 for Malta. The town with the highest birth rate is San Lawrenz (15.93) and that with the lowest is Xewkija (4.89). Victoria (also called Rabat) is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Saint Lawrence is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Connection to the Maltese 'Mainland'

The construction of a bridge between the two islands was the subject of controversy for years. In the early 1970s the newly elected Socialist Administration started the building of a bridge between the two islands, but this was stopped after protests from the Gozitan part. At present the island is reachable by ferry boat. A helicopter service which connected Gozo to Malta was stopped recently, after the service was privatised some time ago. Regular ferries relay between the port of Ċirkewwa on Malta and Mġarr on Gozo, establishing services for goods, tourism and commuting. Permanent residents of Gozo are able to use the ferry at a subsidised rate, significantly lower than the standard fare. The heliport at Xewkija provides passenger services to the mainland's airport in Luqa. Currently the helicopter service is suspended. The heliport runway might be extended so aircraft can land. This could potenially destroy the uniqueness of this island through pollution, noise and destruction of agricultural land. ÄŠirkewwa, is a harbour in the nothernmost part of Malta. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Luqa (meaning poplar in Aramaic) is a village located in the south east of Malta (Europe). ...

Download high resolution version (1024x768, 164 KB)Mgarr Ix-Xini panorama - left, on Gozo, there is a watch tower, built in 1658 (so too late for enslaved Gozitans in 1551). ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 164 KB)Mgarr Ix-Xini panorama - left, on Gozo, there is a watch tower, built in 1658 (so too late for enslaved Gozitans in 1551). ...

History

Gozo has been inhabitated since the 5^th millennium BC, as witnessed by the megalithic structures at Ġgantija. The first Neolithic settlers probably crossed over from Sicily. Another interesting neolithic structure is the Xagħra Stone Circle. Ggantija temple Ä gantija (also Ggantia) is a megalithic temple complex on the Mediterranean island of Gozo (part of Malta). ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools Excavated dwellings at Skara Brae Scotland, Europes most complete Neolithic village. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Î£Î¹ÎºÎµÎ»Î¯Î± in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 kmÂ² and 5 million inhabitants. ... The XagÄ§ra Stone Circle, also known as the Brockdorff Circle, is an underground Neolithic temple that was also used for burial, situated in XagÄ§ra, Gozo. ...

In July 1551 Ottomans and Barbary pirates conquered Gozo and enslaved all 5,000 or 6,000 inhabitants, bringing them to Tarhuna Wa Msalata in Libya. Their departure port in Gozo was Mġarr ix-Xini. Events Russia, Reforming Synod of the metropolite Macaire, Orthodoxy: introduction of a calendar of the saints and an ecclesiastical law code ( Stoglav ) Major outbreak of the sweating sickness in England. ... Motto: Ø¯ÙˆÙ„Øª Ø§Ø¨Ø¯ Ù…Ø¯Øª Devlet-i Ebed-mÃ¼ddet (The Eternal State) Anthem: Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital SÃ¶ÄŸÃ¼t (1299-1326) Bursa (1326-1365) Edirne (1365-1453) Constantinople (Istanbul) (1453-1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy Sultans - 1281â€“1326 Osman I - 1918â€“1922 Mehmed VI... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Slave redirects here. ...

The history of Gozo is strongly coupled with the history of Malta, since Gozo has been governed by Malta within recent history, with the exception of a short period of autonomy, given to Gozo by Napoleon after his conquest of Malta, between October 28, 1798 and September 5, 1800. Malta has been inhabited since around 5200 BC and a significant pre-historic civilisation existed on the islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians who named the main island Malat, meaning safe haven. // about 5200 BC: People first arrive on Malta. ... October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... 1800 (MDCCC) was an exceptional common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. ...

The Malta-Gozo Relationship

Gozitans have a very strong identity within Malta as a whole country. Sometimes this might lead to Gozitans segregating themselves when working or studying in mainland Malta. Gozo is the only region in Malta which has a Minister responsible for it. Generally speaking, Gozo is more socially conservative than the rest of the country.

Ecclesiastical history

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo (in Latin Goulos-Gaudisiensis), comprises the Island of Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea (seventeen miles west of the harbour of Valetta, Malta) and islet of Comino. On a central plateau the ruined fortifications of an ancient town contain the cathedral church and public buildings, outside of which is a large suburb. The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus of Nazareth, with its traditions first established by the Twelve Apostles and... Comino is an island of the Maltese archipelago between island of Malta and island of Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea. ...

Up to the year 1864, Gozo formed part of the Diocese of Malta, but Pius IX, acceding to the repeated prayer of the clergy and the people, erected it into a separate exempt diocese, i.e. immediately subject to the Holy See. On 16 March, 1863, Monsignor Francesco Michele Butigieg, a native of Gozo, was appointed titular Bishop of Lita and deputy auxiliary of the Archbishop-Bishop of Malta, for the Island of Gozo. He was consecrated at Rome on 3 May of the same year, on 22 September, 1864, was created first bishop of the new Diocese of Gozo, and on the 23rd day of the following month made his solemn entry into the new cathedral. Through the efforts of Mgr. Pietro Pace, who was then vicar-general of the diocese, a diocesan seminary was established on the site formerly occupied by the San Giuliano Hospital, the revenues of which were appropriated to the new institution. This seminary was inaugurated 3 November, 1866, and by the express desire of Pope Pius IX placed under the direction of the Jesuits. The Blessed Pope Pius IX, born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, ( May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878) was pope for a record pontificate of over 31 years, from June 16, 1846 until his death. ... An exemption is a rule or law which excepts certain things from another rule or law. ... Bishop Richard Pates, current auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the Titular Bishop of Suacia. ... Lita can mean: The official currency of Lithuania, see Litas. ... A vicar general (often abbreviated VG) is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ...

On the death of Mgr. Butigieg, Father Micallef, Superior General of the Augustinian Order, was made Bishop of Città di Castello and appointed administrator of the Diocese of Gozo. He left Gozo in May, 1867, and in 1871 became Archbishop of Pisa. His successor to the administration of the diocese was Mgr. Antonio Grech Delicata, titular Bishop of Chalcedon, a native of Malta, who in 1868 was appointed Bishop of Gozo, and as such assisted at the First Vatican Council. Mgr. Grech Delicata's charity towards the poor went so far that he divested himself of his own patrimony. This worthy prelate died on the last day of the year 1876. A Superior General, or General Superior, is the Superior at the head of a whole religious order of congregation. ... CittÃ di Castello is a town in the northern part of the Umbria region of Italy. ... Bishop Richard Pates, current auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the Titular Bishop of Suacia. ... Chalcedon (Î§Î±Î»ÎºÎ·Î´ÏŽÎ½, sometimes transliterated as Chalkedon; see also list of traditional Greek place names) was an ancient maritime town of Bithynia, in Asia Minor, almost directly opposite Byzantium, south of Scutari (modern ÃœskÃ¼dar). ... The First Vatican Council was summoned by Pope Pius IX by the bull Aeterni Patris of June 29, 1868. ...

On 12 March, 1877, Mgr. Canon Professor Pietro Pace, native of Gozo, was appointed to succeed Mgr. Grech Delicata, and was consecrated at Rome by Cardinal Howard. Under his administration the seminary was augmented by the installation of a meteorological observatory, which was inaugurated by the celebrated Padre Denza, Director of the Vatican Observatory. During this administration an episcopal educational institute for girls was also established, under the care of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul, to whom was also entrusted the direction of the annexed orphan asylum. The same bishop provided the diocese with a new episcopal palace and new monasteries, besides laying out large sums of money on the cathedral. MolÄ—tai Astronomical Observatory An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial and/or celestial events. ... The Vatican Observatory (Specola Vaticana) is the astronomical research and educational institution of the Holy See. ... The Daughters or Sisters of Charity of St. ...

In 1889, Mgr. Pace was promoted Archbishop of Rhodes and Bishop of Malta. His successor in the See of Gozo was the Reverend G. M. Camilleri, O.S.A., a native of Valetta (b. 15 March, 1842). Under Mgr. Camilleri's administration the first diocesan synod was celebrated, in October, 1903. This synod was of absolute necessity, as the diocese was still governed under the rules of the Synod of Malta of 1703, and consequently lacked a safe guide adapted to the times. Constitutions and decrees were also promulgated and published which gave new life to the working of the diocese. Location map of Rhodes Rhodes (Greek: Î¡ÏŒÎ´Î¿Ï‚ (pron. ... The Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo (died AD 430), are several Roman Catholic monastic orders and congregations of both men and women living according to a guide to religious life known as the Rule of Saint Augustine. ... St Johns Co-Cathedral Valletta, population 7048 (official estimate for 2000), is the capital of Malta. ...

The cathedral church of Gozo was built in 1697-1703, by Lorenzo Gafa. Its ground plan is in the form of a Latin cross. Its interior is adorned with fine paintings. The "Massagiere di Maria", an Italian periodical, is recognized in the Diocese of Gozo as the official organ of the sanctuary of the Bl. Virgin ta Pinu.

See also

Sources and external links

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Islands of Malta

Malta Island • Gozo • Comino • Cominotto • Filfla • St Paul's Island To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require rewriting and/or reformatting. ... Map of Malta, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF File links The following pages link to this file: Malta Geography of Malta Gozo Island Categories: CIA World Factbook images ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Malta. ... Map. ... Comino is an island of the Maltese archipelago between island of Malta and island of Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea. ... ... Filfla is a small, barren, uninhabited islet 5 km south of Malta, and is the most southerly point of Maltese Archipelago. ... St Pauls Island (or better St Pauls Islands as they are two of them when the sea is more rough) is a flat islet laying in St Pauls Bay on the island of Malta. ...

Coordinates: 36°03′N 14°15′E Since 1993, Malta has been subdivided into 68 local councils or localities. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Malta. ... Map. ... Attard (or Ä¦Attard) is a village located near the centre of the island of Malta, with a population of around 10,000. ... Balzan is the name of a small village found towards the centre of the Maltese Islands in the Mediterranean sea. ... Birgu is a small town in Malta that played a vital role in the Siege of Malta in 1565. ... Birkirkara (or BKara) is a town of 21,775 inhabitants (Nov 2005) in central Malta. ... This article lacks information on the importance of the subject matter. ... Cospicua, also known as Bormla to the Maltese, is a city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. ... View of the Mediterranean Sea from the cliffs of Dingli, Malta. ... Fgura is a medium-sized town in Malta, on the island of Malta. ... Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. ... Gudja is a village in Malta with a population of 2,901 (Nov 2005). ... GÅ¼ira is a town in the north-eastern coast of Malta, between Msida & Sliema. ... GÄ§argÄ§ur (roughly pronounced ar-ur, gÄ§ being silent in Maltese) is one of the smallest and oldest towns of Malta. ... GÄ§axaq is a village in the south of Malta, with a population of 4,388 people (Nov 2005). ... Ä¦amrun is a town in the Inner Harbour Region of Malta, with a population of 9,513 people (Nov 2005). ... Iklin is a relatively modern village in the centre of Malta, with a population of 3,203 people (Nov 2005), situated between Birkirkara, Naxxar and Lija. ... Senglea is a city in the south of Malta. ... Kalkara is a small town in Malta, with a current population of 3000. ... Kirkop is a small village in the south of Malta. ... Lija is a small village located approximately in the centre of Malta. ... Luqa (meaning poplar in Aramaic) is a village located in the south east of Malta (Europe). ... Marsa is a town south of Malta. ... Marsaskala or Marsascala is a modest town that has grown up around the small harbour at the head of Marsaskala Bay, a long narrow inlet also known as Masaskala Creek. ... Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta. ... The Entrance to Mdina Mdina is the old capital of Malta. ... MellieÄ§a [me-lee-ha] is a large village (pop. ... MÄ¡arr, formerly known as Mgiarro, is a small town northwest of the mainland of Malta. ... Mosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. ... Mqabba is a small village in the south of Malta, with a population of 2,700 inhabitants. ... The Parish Church in Msida, dedicated to St. ... Links Mtarfa Local Council > History ... Naxxar (or In-Naxxar) is a village in the north of Malta, with a population of 11,947 people (Nov 2005). ... Paola, (or old name Pawla), is a town in the south of Malta. ... Pembroke which was named after the 12th Earl of Pembroke and British Secretary of War in 1859. ... The PietÃ waterfront PietÃ is a small town of around 30,000 population located on the outskirts of the capital city of Malta, Valletta. ... Qormi (pronounced Qormee) or Citta Pinto is a city in Malta with a population of 18,553 (2002). ... Qrendi is a small village in the southwest of Malta. ... Victoria (also called Rabat) is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Ħal Safi - Malta History Unfortunately, whilst carrying research about the origins of Ħal Safi, little information was gathered, mainly because no type of documentation exists. ... St. ... Santa LuÄ‹ija is a small village (pop. ... St Pauls Bay is situated in the north east of the island of Malta, 16km from the capital city Valletta. ... San Ä wann is the 7th-largest city in Malta, with a population of 12,630 (Nov 2005). ... Santa Venera is a town in Malta. ... SiÄ¡Ä¡iewi is a town on the island of Malta. ... Water front of Sliema Sliema is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta. ... Swieqi is a town in Malta. ... Ta Xbiex is a small town towards the south-east of Malta with a small population (3000 approx) with its own local council. ... Tarxien is a small village in the southeast of Malta. ... Valletta, population 7048 (official estimate for 2000), is the capital city of Malta - The city is located at , (35. ... XgÄ§ajra (pronounced shyra in Maltese) is a small village in Malta on the coast, about halfway between Valletta and Marsaskala. ... Å»abbar is the fifth largest town in Malta, with a population of just over 18,000 (est. ... Ä¦aÅ¼-Å»ebbuÄ¡ is one of the oldest towns in Malta. ... Å»ejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta, which has 11,379 inhabitants (as per 1995 census), with 13,133 inhabitants projected for 2010. ... Å»urrieq is one of the oldest towns in Malta, and has a population of approximately 10,000. ... Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, second in size to Malta Island. ... Fontana is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... GÄ§ajnsielem is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... GÄ§arb is a village located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, Malta. ... GÄ§asri is a village in the western part of Gozo (Malta). ... KerÄ‹em is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Munxar is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Nadur is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Qala is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Victoria (also called Rabat) is the capital of Gozo, an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Saint Lawrence is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Sannat is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. ... Ix-XagÄ§ra (pronounced: shara) is built on a hill to the central north-east of the island of Gozo. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The small town of IÅ¼-Å»ebbuÄ¡ is on the island of Gozo in Malta. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

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