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Monsignor Sir Michael Gonzi, KBE, DD (Maltese Mikiel Gonzi) (13 May 1885 – 22 January 1984) was the 15th and Last Bishop of Malta and the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Malta. His grandnephews include Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta and his brother Michael Gonzi, also a Member of Parliament.

Church career

He was born as Mikiel Gonzi in Vittoriosa, Birgu, Malta, and ordained to the priesthood in 1908. In 1924 he was ordained as the 5th Bishop of Gozo. He remained as Bishop of Gozo till 1943 when Bishop Joseph Pace was ordained. On 14 October 1943 he became coadjutor bishop of Malta and Titular Bishop of Lyrbe.

Three months after that Bishop Caruana died, and on 17 December Michael Gonzi became Bishop of Malta. The Diocese of Malta, was elevated to an archdiocese of Malta in 1944 and became Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Malta.

Church-State relations

Labour Party

On 17 March 1961 Archbishop Gonzi, interdicted supporters of the Malta 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.

Integration campaign

This was due to the hard-fought Integration campaign of 1958 and Labour's perception that the Church was to blame for its failure which led to some scathing attacks from Labour officials on members of the Church hierarchy. There was also widespread international fear that the Labour Party of Malta was becoming a Communist Party through its developing relationships with the socialist AAPSO.^[2]

Letter of recommendation

Young men seeking employment had to obtain a letter of recommendation from the village priest. Failure to do so meant perpetual unemployment. Thousands emigrated to Australia, Canada and the United States. Among those who were buried on unconsecrated ground was Labour deputy leader and prominent novelist Guze Ellul Mercer^[3].

Opposition to socialism

To stir more ire, Dom Mintoff then began declaring that "Ġesu Kristu hu l-akbar soċjalista" (Jesus Christ is the biggest socialist); Gonzi's supporters retorted "Jew ma' l-isqof jew max-xitan" (Either with the bishop, or with the devil).

Honours and titles

Knight Commander

Gonzi was created a KBE, entitling him to be known as Sir Michael Gonzi, in the 1946 New Year's honours. In 1949, on the occasion of the silver jubilee of his consecration as Bishop, Pope Pius XII made him assistant at the Papal 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.

Papal count

In 1949, Gonzi was created a Papal count for his works on behalf of the Papacy. The title was created by Pope Pius XII. Gonzi was instrumental in helping families without decent dwellings to find good houses and in fact was instrumental in the construction of at least 12 dwellings in Kalkara by the friends of Malta GC. He was also the motor behind the construction of many churches especially the one in Kalkara.

Grand Cross of the Order of St Raimond de Penafort

In 1963, the dictator, Generalissimo Francisco Franco of Spain conferred on Gonzi the title of Grand Cross of the Order of St Raimond de Penafort. He was also appointed Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in 1965.

Retirement

He was succeeded by Bishop Joseph Mercieca following retirement in 1976.

Death

Bishop Gonzi died on 22 January 1984, aged 98.

References

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.

See also

• Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)