St. Mary's Church, Falkland Islands

St. Mary's Church[1] is a Roman Catholic church located at 12 Ross Road, Stanley, Falkland Islands.[2][3]

St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church, 2016
Map
Address12 Ross Road, Stanley
CountryFalkland Islands
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusChurch
DedicationMary, mother of Jesus
Consecrated1899
Specifications
MaterialsTimber
Administration
ParishApostolic Prefecture of the Falkland Islands

The church is the only pro-cathedral and parish of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Falkland Islands, an isolated territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church directly dependent on the Holy See.[4]

It is the only Catholic church in the islands. It is made of wood and was consecrated in 1899.[5] On the West wall it has oil murals, illustrated by British artist James Peck, born in the islands.[6]

In September 1966, the hijackers of Aerolíneas Argentinas Flight 648 were granted sanctuary in the church by Father Rodolfo Roel (of Dutch origin) whilst they awaited deportation back to Argentina for trial.[7]

During the Falklands War in 1982, the parish priest Michael McPartland negotiated with the Argentine troops to continue holding mass in English.[8]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "St Mary's Home Page". The Roman Catholic Church in the South Atlantic. Archived from the original on 24 September 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  2. ^ Ivanov, Ljubomir Lalov (1 January 2003). The Future of the Falkland Islands and Its People. Atlantic Club of Bulgaria. ISBN 9789549150315.
  3. ^ "Church of St. Mary, Stanley, Falkland Islands". www.gcatholic.org. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  4. ^ "AICA - Iglesia en la Argentina". www.aicaold.com.ar (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  5. ^ Falkland Islands Country Study Guide – Strategic Information and Developments. Int'l Business Publications. 2 May 2014. ISBN 9780739778647.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Falkland Islanders greet election of Argentine as Pope Francis with surprise". The Independent. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Operation Condor: Heroes or Villains?". Aviation Security International Magazine. 23 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  8. ^ Goni, Uki (15 March 2013). "Falkland Islands Catholics want new pope to visit them". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2023.

51°41′30″S 57°51′52″W / 51.6917°S 57.8644°W / -51.6917; -57.8644