Mikiel Gonzi
Encyclopedia
Monsignor
Sir Michael Gonzi, KBE
, DD
(Maltese Mikiel Gonzi) (13 May 1885 – 22 January 1984) was Roman Catholic Archbishop
of the Archdiocese of Malta (Bishop before this Malta elevated to the status of archdiocese during his tenure). He had also been Bishop of Gozo
and an elected Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly
.
, Malta
, and ordained to the priesthood in 1908.
in 1921 he resigned half-way into his term to be ordained as the 5th Bishop of Gozo
in 1924. He held this office until 14 October 1943 when he became coadjutor bishop
of Malta
and Titular Bishop of Lyrbe. Three months later Mauro Caruana, Bishop of Malta, died, and on 17 December Gonzi succeeded him. Gonzi became Archbishop
in 1944 when Malta was elevated to an Archdiocese.
Gonzi was instrumental in helping families without decent dwellings to find good houses. He commissioned the construction of apartments for families and was also the motor behind the construction of many churches especially the one in Kalkara
.
Gonzi resigned his post of Archbishop of Malta in 1978 to be succeeded by Mons. Joseph Mercieca.
.
Trouble stated in 1948 when Mintoff was still Deputy Leader of his Party. At a dinner in which Mintoff presided, guests sang The Red Flag
and anti-clerical speeches were made. Gonzi demanded and Mintoff made an apology.
Relations stated deteriorating again during the Integration campaign of the mid-1950s. Gonzi feared that the privideged position of the Roman Catholic Church
would be lost to the Anglican Church once Malta became part of the United Kingdom and asked for guarantees which were never forthcoming. The church and its supporters were categorically against the plan for integration and asked voters to vote 'no' or abstain in the referendum of 14 February 1956, floating banners such as 'Meta tivvota Alla jarak u jiggudikak' (When you're voting God will watch you and will judge you).
The Church and in particular Mikiel Gonzi's relationship with the Labour Party worsened further in 1958 when nationwide protests and street unrest developed after it was announced that the dockyards will be gradually run down and the number of workers drastically reduced. Gonzo condemend the violent protests and accused the Labour party of supporting them. The Labour Party in turn accused the church for condemning the protesting workers while never condemning the harsh repressions by the British authorities.
The antagonistic talk was further exacerbated with Labour's decision to developing relationships and seek membership of the socialist AAPSO. On 17 March 1961 Archbishop Gonzi, interdict
ed supporters of the Labour Party, specifically, the Party's Executive Committee, readers, distributors and advertisers in the Party papers and voters and candidates of the Party.
Those interdicted could not receive the sacraments and, when they died, were buried in unconsecrated ground, in a part of the cemetery popularly called by the pejorative term Il-Miżbla. This included Labour deputy leader and prominent novelist Guze Ellul Mercer
.
During interdiction the political climate in Malta was very tense with the church organising rallies for preparation of the spirit in view of the forthcoming elections. The Labour party rallies were also often disrupted by continuous churchbell ringing and whislting and other deliberate noise by Catholic laymen. Sermons during mass were predominantly characterised by political issues and so were pastoral letters read in church.
Interdiction
would only be lifted in 1964 and peace with the Labour Party only made in 1969.
during a critical phase of the war when supplies were running low, he encouraged Gozitan farmers to put their hoarded grain on the market to bring down the price of bread.
In 1949, on the occasion of the silver jubilee of his consecration as Bishop
, Pope Pius XII made him Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
; in the same year he was conferred the degree of LL.D (Honoris Causa) by the University of Malta, and created Bailiff Grand Cross of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. In 1949, Gonzi was created a Papal Count for his works on behalf of the Papacy, a title was created by Pope Pius XII.
In 1963 Francisco Franco
made Gonzi a member of the Order of the Cross of St Raimond de Penafort. He was also appointed Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in 1965.
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
Sir Michael Gonzi, KBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DD
DD
- Computing :* dd , a program that copies and convert files and data* dd, an HTML element for specifying definition data* Dolby Digital, the name for audio compression technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories...
(Maltese Mikiel Gonzi) (13 May 1885 – 22 January 1984) was Roman Catholic Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Archdiocese of Malta (Bishop before this Malta elevated to the status of archdiocese during his tenure). He had also been Bishop of Gozo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo
The Diocese of Gozo , is a see of the Catholic Church in Malta. The diocese comprises the island of Gozo and the islet of Comino.-History:...
and an elected Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly
House of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
.
Early life and Ordination
He was born as Michele Gonzi in Vittoriosa, BirguBirgu
Birgu is an ancient city in Malta. It played a vital role in the Siege of Malta in 1565. Its population stood at 2,633 in December 2008.-History:...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, and ordained to the priesthood in 1908.
Political and ecclesiastical career
Elected as a Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative AssemblyHouse of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
in 1921 he resigned half-way into his term to be ordained as the 5th Bishop of Gozo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo
The Diocese of Gozo , is a see of the Catholic Church in Malta. The diocese comprises the island of Gozo and the islet of Comino.-History:...
in 1924. He held this office until 14 October 1943 when he became coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
and Titular Bishop of Lyrbe. Three months later Mauro Caruana, Bishop of Malta, died, and on 17 December Gonzi succeeded him. Gonzi became Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
in 1944 when Malta was elevated to an Archdiocese.
Gonzi was instrumental in helping families without decent dwellings to find good houses. He commissioned the construction of apartments for families and was also the motor behind the construction of many churches especially the one in Kalkara
Kalkara
Il-Kalkara is a small picturesque village in Malta, with a population of 2,856 . The name is derived from the Latin word for lime , and it is believed that there was a lime kiln present there since Roman times. Kalkara forms part of the inner harbour area and occupies the area around Kalkara Creek...
.
Gonzi resigned his post of Archbishop of Malta in 1978 to be succeeded by Mons. Joseph Mercieca.
Church-State relations
Gonzi's tenure as Archbishop of Malta was marred with strained relations with the Labour Party partilcarly its leader Dom MintoffDom Mintoff
Dom Mintoff is a Maltese politician, journalist and architect, who served as leader of the Labour Party from 1949 to 1984, Prime Minister of Malta from 1955 to 1958 and again, post-Independence, from 1971 to...
.
Trouble stated in 1948 when Mintoff was still Deputy Leader of his Party. At a dinner in which Mintoff presided, guests sang The Red Flag
The Red Flag
The Red Flag is a protest song associated with left-wing politics, in particular with socialism. It is the semi-official anthem of the British Labour Party, sung at the end of conference. It is the official anthem of the Irish Labour Party and sung at the close of national conference.-History:The...
and anti-clerical speeches were made. Gonzi demanded and Mintoff made an apology.
Relations stated deteriorating again during the Integration campaign of the mid-1950s. Gonzi feared that the privideged position of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
would be lost to the Anglican Church once Malta became part of the United Kingdom and asked for guarantees which were never forthcoming. The church and its supporters were categorically against the plan for integration and asked voters to vote 'no' or abstain in the referendum of 14 February 1956, floating banners such as 'Meta tivvota Alla jarak u jiggudikak' (When you're voting God will watch you and will judge you).
The Church and in particular Mikiel Gonzi's relationship with the Labour Party worsened further in 1958 when nationwide protests and street unrest developed after it was announced that the dockyards will be gradually run down and the number of workers drastically reduced. Gonzo condemend the violent protests and accused the Labour party of supporting them. The Labour Party in turn accused the church for condemning the protesting workers while never condemning the harsh repressions by the British authorities.
The antagonistic talk was further exacerbated with Labour's decision to developing relationships and seek membership of the socialist AAPSO. On 17 March 1961 Archbishop Gonzi, interdict
Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholic canon law, an interdict is an ecclesiastical censure that excludes from certain rites of the Church individuals or groups, who nonetheless do not cease to be members of the Church.-Distinctions in canon law:...
ed supporters of the Labour Party, specifically, the Party's Executive Committee, readers, distributors and advertisers in the Party papers and voters and candidates of the Party.
Those interdicted could not receive the sacraments and, when they died, were buried in unconsecrated ground, in a part of the cemetery popularly called by the pejorative term Il-Miżbla. This included Labour deputy leader and prominent novelist Guze Ellul Mercer
Guze Ellul Mercer
Guze Ellul Mercer was a Maltese politician. He joined the Labour Party and he started his parliamentary career in 1924. He was subsequently elected member of parliament at the general elections held in 1951 and 1955. In 1955, he was elected Labour Party deputy leader for parliamentary affairs...
.
During interdiction the political climate in Malta was very tense with the church organising rallies for preparation of the spirit in view of the forthcoming elections. The Labour party rallies were also often disrupted by continuous churchbell ringing and whislting and other deliberate noise by Catholic laymen. Sermons during mass were predominantly characterised by political issues and so were pastoral letters read in church.
Interdiction
Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)
In Roman Catholic canon law, an interdict is an ecclesiastical censure that excludes from certain rites of the Church individuals or groups, who nonetheless do not cease to be members of the Church.-Distinctions in canon law:...
would only be lifted in 1964 and peace with the Labour Party only made in 1969.
Honours and titles
Gonzi was created a KBE, entitling him to be known as Sir Michael Gonzi, in the 1946 New Year's honours. Gonzi was knighted for his services during the Second World War when, as Bishop of GozoRoman Catholic Diocese of Gozo
The Diocese of Gozo , is a see of the Catholic Church in Malta. The diocese comprises the island of Gozo and the islet of Comino.-History:...
during a critical phase of the war when supplies were running low, he encouraged Gozitan farmers to put their hoarded grain on the market to bring down the price of bread.
In 1949, on the occasion of the silver jubilee of his consecration as Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, Pope Pius XII made him Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne is an ecclesiastical title in the Roman Catholic Church. It signifies a prelate belonging to the papal chapel, who stands near the throne of the Pope at solemn functions....
; in the same year he was conferred the degree of LL.D (Honoris Causa) by the University of Malta, and created Bailiff Grand Cross of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. In 1949, Gonzi was created a Papal Count for his works on behalf of the Papacy, a title was created by Pope Pius XII.
In 1963 Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
made Gonzi a member of the Order of the Cross of St Raimond de Penafort. He was also appointed Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in 1965.
Sources
- Borġ, J. (1984), Imkasbrin fil-miżbla, Dip. tal-Partit tal-Ħaddiema.
- Fenech, D. (1976), The making of archbishop Gonzi, Union Press.
- Galea, M. & Tonna, E. (1984), L-arċisqof Gonzi, Valletta: Associated News.