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Mikiel Gonzi
Sir Michael Count Gonzi KBE (born Mikiel / Michele Gonzi: 13 May 1885 – 22 January 1984) was Roman Catholic Archbishop of Malta from 1944 until 1976. He had been enthroned as Bishop of Malta in December 1943, and was consecrated as the first Archbishop of Malta in 1944. He had also been Bishop of Gozo and an elected Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly.
Archbishop Count Gonzi is known for his intervention in politics, having also interdicted the Labour Party and demanding people not to vote for them. Despite this, 43.7% of the population, in 1966, voted for the Dominic Mintoff-led Labour Party and this was interpreted as a decline in the Church's influence and declining religious, social and political power. His support for public harassment, mainly politicians, led to an outline of 'Six Points' of church and state separation, where eventually the church was confined to spiritual matters.
Gonzi was a staunch opponent of homosexuality, on his belief that it was a grave sin, "unnatural" and practiced by the "sick". Similarly, he was against equal rights between men and women, and demanded punishment for adulterers.[citation needed] He was in support of the 're-introduction' of the Italian language, instead of promoting Maltese, but his waited opportunism was never realised. He was a social smoker who generally smoked cigars.
He was born as Michele Gonzi in Vittoriosa on 13 May 1885. He was the son of Giuseppe Gonzi (1840 - 1935) and Margherita Tonna. He had one younger brother, Lorenzo Gonzi (1888 - 1934), and four elder half-siblings from his father's first marriage to Maria Xerri. Gonzi's younger brother, Lorenzo, was the paternal grandfather of Lawrence Gonzi, 12th Prime Minister of Malta from 2004 - 2013. Gonzi was ordained to the priesthood in 1908.
Elected as a Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly in 1921, he resigned half-way into his term to be enthroned as the 5th Bishop of Gozo in 1924. Gonzi held this office until 14 October 1943, when he became coadjutor bishop of Malta and Titular Bishop of Lyrbe. Three months later, Sir Mauro Monsignor Caruana, Bishop of Malta, died, and, on 17 December, Gonzi succeeded him as Bishop. Gonzi became Archbishop of Malta 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 as Archbishop of Malta in 1976 when he was succeeded by Joseph Mercieca.
Though Gonzi's tenure as Archbishop of Malta was a controversial one due to strained relations with the Labour Party, particularly with its fiery and confrontational leader Dom Mintoff, Gonzi was a popular figure with tens of thousands of loyal followers, including young people affiliated with religious groups such as Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara, MUSEUM and Azzjoni Kattolika.[citation needed]
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Mikiel Gonzi
Sir Michael Count Gonzi KBE (born Mikiel / Michele Gonzi: 13 May 1885 – 22 January 1984) was Roman Catholic Archbishop of Malta from 1944 until 1976. He had been enthroned as Bishop of Malta in December 1943, and was consecrated as the first Archbishop of Malta in 1944. He had also been Bishop of Gozo and an elected Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly.
Archbishop Count Gonzi is known for his intervention in politics, having also interdicted the Labour Party and demanding people not to vote for them. Despite this, 43.7% of the population, in 1966, voted for the Dominic Mintoff-led Labour Party and this was interpreted as a decline in the Church's influence and declining religious, social and political power. His support for public harassment, mainly politicians, led to an outline of 'Six Points' of church and state separation, where eventually the church was confined to spiritual matters.
Gonzi was a staunch opponent of homosexuality, on his belief that it was a grave sin, "unnatural" and practiced by the "sick". Similarly, he was against equal rights between men and women, and demanded punishment for adulterers.[citation needed] He was in support of the 're-introduction' of the Italian language, instead of promoting Maltese, but his waited opportunism was never realised. He was a social smoker who generally smoked cigars.
He was born as Michele Gonzi in Vittoriosa on 13 May 1885. He was the son of Giuseppe Gonzi (1840 - 1935) and Margherita Tonna. He had one younger brother, Lorenzo Gonzi (1888 - 1934), and four elder half-siblings from his father's first marriage to Maria Xerri. Gonzi's younger brother, Lorenzo, was the paternal grandfather of Lawrence Gonzi, 12th Prime Minister of Malta from 2004 - 2013. Gonzi was ordained to the priesthood in 1908.
Elected as a Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly in 1921, he resigned half-way into his term to be enthroned as the 5th Bishop of Gozo in 1924. Gonzi held this office until 14 October 1943, when he became coadjutor bishop of Malta and Titular Bishop of Lyrbe. Three months later, Sir Mauro Monsignor Caruana, Bishop of Malta, died, and, on 17 December, Gonzi succeeded him as Bishop. Gonzi became Archbishop of Malta 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 as Archbishop of Malta in 1976 when he was succeeded by Joseph Mercieca.
Though Gonzi's tenure as Archbishop of Malta was a controversial one due to strained relations with the Labour Party, particularly with its fiery and confrontational leader Dom Mintoff, Gonzi was a popular figure with tens of thousands of loyal followers, including young people affiliated with religious groups such as Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara, MUSEUM and Azzjoni Kattolika.[citation needed]