Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mahdia(1848–1964)

Abstract

This study explores the history of the Catholic parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mahdia. Established during a period marked by growing European immigration, the parish was part of the broader social, political, and religious dynamics of the Regency of Tunis at the end of the 19th century. Drawing on the archives of the Diocese of Tunis, the article traces the major stages of the parish’s establishment and its connection to the archdiocese under Cardinal Lavigerie, revealing his vision for its development.
The study also examines the parish’s interactions with the local European community, the people of Mahdia, and consular authorities. It highlights the impact of political transformations brought about by the establishment of the French Protectorate, particularly the effects of the secularization policies implemented by the French government on the parish’s activities.
Finally, it considers the significance of the Modus Vivendi signed in 1964 between, the Vatican and the Tunisian Republic, which marked the end of the parish’s activities.