Josep Caixal i Estradé

Who was Josep Caixal i Estradé?

Josep Caixal i Estradé was Bishop of Urgell from 1853 until his death in Rome in 1879 and co-prince of Andorra during the New Reform period.

He studied at Tarragona, where he taught the Holy Scriptures, and obtained a canonry. He was professor of philosophy at the University of Cervera. During the first Carlist War, he was exiled to Montalban, Guyana.

On November 30, 1851 he is named as the successor of Simó de Guardiola as bishop of Urgell. In 1853 he becomes the bishop of Urgell and therefor co-prince of Andorra. In that time he is considered as a very conservative catholic. In 1855 he has to defend himself against the charge of conspiring, that the governor of Catalonië had made. In 1867 he protests in Madrid against the confiscation of goods of the Church and the abusive use of it by the Spanish government.

He attended the First Vatican Council during 1869-1870, where he participated in the drafting of the structure of faith, and in discussions on the infallibility of the Pope, and the composition of the Church, as well as other issues of disciplinary nature.

Ideologically a Carlist, driven by a strong and energetic spirit, he clashed seriously with the liberal authorities.