Libya Church Records: Difference between revisions

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About 97% of the population in Libya are Muslims, most of whom belong to the Sunni branch. There are small foreign communities of Christians. '''Coptic Orthodox Christianity''', which is the Christian Church of Egypt, is the largest and most historical Christian denomination in Libya. There are about 60,000 Egyptian Copts in Libya. Copts in Libya are Egyptian. There are three Coptic Churches in Libya, one in Tripoli, one in Benghazi, and one in Misurata. There are an estimated 40,000 '''Roman Catholics''' in Libya who are served by two Bishops, one in Tripoli (serving the Italian community) and one in Benghazi (serving the Maltese community). There is also a small '''Anglican''' community, made up mostly of African immigrant workers in Tripoli; it is part of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Libya", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libya, accessed 20 March 2020. </ref><ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Libya", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Libya, accessed 20 March 2020. </ref><br>

'''Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library.''' Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search '''FamilySearch Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.  To find records:  

:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927016&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Libya%22 '''records of Libya'''].

Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish.  To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:

*[https://www.catholicdirectory.com/search_results?q=&location_value=Libya&country_sn=LY&location_type=country&stateSearch=&swlat=19.5&nelat=33.2203&swlng=9.391466&nelng=25.2686&lat=26.3351&lng=17.228331&faddress=Libya&place_id=ChIJDQHOjtmSqBMRKsL5x0FgB_o#/ '''The Catholic Directory: Libya''']

 

 

 

 

For a detailed history, see [[http://ofm.org.mt/churchinlibya/?page_id=89 '''History, Catholic Church in Libya''']

Christianity has been present in Libya since Roman times. Saint Francis of Assisi brought his faith to Tripoli in the Middle Ages. The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels) in the Old City - Medina of Tripoli was founded in 1645 and, with the permission of the Sultan of Constantinople, the Church of the Immaculate Conception was founded in Benghazi in 1858.

 

Before World War II the number of Catholics increased in Libya due to its status as an Italian colony, but the Catholic Cathedral of Tripoli (built in the 1920s) was converted to a mosque in the 1990s by Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

 

There are around 50,000 Catholics in Libya, comprising less than one percent of the population. Among the Catholics are Italian Libyans and Maltese Libyans. Thousands of Filipino Catholic nurses moved to Libya during the 1980s and 1990s. The Italians were the majority of the Catholics in Libya until their expulsion in 1969 by Colonel Gaddafi.

 

There are no dioceses in Libya, but there are four territorial jurisdictions - three Apostolic Administrations and one Apostolic Prefecture.

*Apostolic Vicariate of Tripoli

*Apostolic Prefecture of Misrata<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Libya", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Libya, accessed 14 March 2020. </ref><ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Catholic Church in Libya", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Libya, accessed 14 March 2020. </ref>

*[https://www.facebook.com/pg/tripolianglicanchurch/about/ '''Facebook for Anglican Church Tripoli Libya'''], includes contact information.<br>

 

=='''Coptic Church Records'''==

They are currently three Coptic Orthodox Churches in Libya: one in Tripoli, Libya (Saint Mark's), one in Benghazi, Libya (Saint Antonios — two priests), and one in Misrata, Libya (Saint Mary and Saint George).

 

=='''Eastern Orthodox Church Records'''==  

Libya is included in the Archdiocese of Triposis.