Tomás Gargallo

Tomás Gargallo (1536 – 10 June 1614) was a Spanish Roman Catholic prelate who became the Bishop of Malta in 1578.

His Excellency Tomás Gargallo O.S.Io.Hieros.
Bishop of Malta
Church	Roman Catholic
Diocese	Malta
Appointed	11 August 1578
In office	1578–1614
Predecessor	Martín Rojas de Portalrubio
Successor	Baldassare Cagliares
Orders
Consecration	1578
Rank	Bishop
Personal details
Born	1536
Died	10 August 1614
Nationality	Spanish

Biography

Gargallo was born in Catalonia, Spain, in 1536. Gargallo was appointed as Bishop of Malta by Pope Gregory XIII on 11 August 1578. He was consecrated bishop in Palermo. Whilst in Malta, Gargallo ruled with fear, to the point where no one dared to stand up to him. Consequently, there were clashes with the Inquisition in Malta and he was suspended by Inquisitor Cefalotto in 1582, as a result of his harsh rule. Gargallo also experienced financial difficulties whilst Bishop of Malta. Gargallo welcomed the newly formed order of the Jesuits to Malta. He also established a number of parishes, notably, St Paul's parish, St Dominic's parish and Our Lady of Damascus Greek Catholic parish, all in Valletta. He also established the parishes of Senglea, Cospicua, Kirkop, Safi, Mqabba, Lija, Mosta, Gharghur, and Tarxien. Gargallo died on 10 June 1614 after an episcopate of 36 years.^[1][2]