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Anton Cassar
When I first met him Mr. Cassar (1924-2014) was head of the Union Press (since 1962) He told me he started his journalistic career at the Times of Malta. In 1960 he became parliamentary reporter and editor of l-Orizzont. Our first conversation took place at his office at the headquarters of the General Workers’ Union,…
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Chat with Pope John Paul II
Elsewhere I posted how, through the amicable intervention of Pronuncio Mgr. Cassidy, Laurence Grech and Dr. Guido de Marco, I was able to present my books to Pope John Paul II at a public audience in Rome. The audience took place at a packed St. Peter’s Square. I was positioned, with a few other people,…
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Guido de Marco
Dr. Guido de Marxo B.A., LL,D (1931-2010) was a Nationalist Member of Parliament and Secretary General of the Nationalist Party when we first met at the Speakers’ Chambers on 10th July 1973 during a session of the House of Representatives. ‘I am an MP since 1966. My background is working class. This influenced my thinking.…
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Joe Micallef Stafrace
In 1973 Dr. Joe Micallef Stafrace (1933-2021) B.A., LLD was a Member of Parliament for the Malta Labour Party. In October 1971 he had resigned as Minister for Trade, Industry and Tourism. Our first meeting took place at the Law Courts, Valletta, on 14th July 1973. ‘In December 1955 Dr. Flores, the Speaker of the…
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Laurence Grech
I have just been informed of the death of Laurence Grech (1948-2026), a lifetime friend ever since we first met at Strickland House in 1973. Laurence always took a great interest in my academic work on Church and tate in Malta. He often give me valuable advice and invited me several times to write contributions…
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Joseph Carabott
Mgr. Joseph Carabott, or Father Joe as I carried on addressing him with affection, was parish priest in Marsascala when I arrived there in 1975. In 1976 he was transferred to Siggiewi to become the next archpriest over there. In 1981 het was made Archpriest of Mosta. When he retited he was created a canon…
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Joseph Spiteri-Gonzi
MY GREAT FRIEND JOE SPITERI-GONZI Some personal memories (After Joe passed peacefully away on 27th March 2022 I was not able to pay him the tribute he deserved because the impact of the sad news upset me too much. I promised to do this later and found it fitting to publish it on his birthday)…
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Swimming and having lunch with Dom Mintoff
Dominic Mintoff (1916-2012) was Prime Minister of Malta when I conducted my research there. As he was one of my main research objectives I thought it proper to ask him for an interview. However, his personal secretary Mr. Joe Camilleri informed me that Mr. Mintoff was a very busy man and that we would prefer…
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Dom Mintoff: a tough nut to crack
This story was told to me at Miss Mabel Stricklands villa in Lija in 1973 by a member of the British House of Lords, who was one of the intimates of Lord Carrington, then United Kingdom Secretary of Defence. Because Jozef Luns was still very active in international politics at the time, I wrote it…
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Strait Street Valletta
25th May 1973 (on my way to meet Archbishop Gonzi) Before I arrived at the Archbishop’s Palace a rather peculiar incident took place. I was late and hurried through Strait Street (as a newcomer in Malta I did not yet know its rather questionable reputation. From a bar a scarcely dressed woman not only addressed…