Category: Persons
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Fortunato Mizzi
Mgr. Forunato Mizzi (1927-2017) was named after his grandfather, one of the founders of the Nationalist Party. He was the only son of Enrico Mizzi, who died in harness as Prime Minister of Malta. He once told me his father called him ‘un sacerdote perfetto’ (a perfect priest) as he never spoke when he should…
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Francis Xavier Schembri
My first meeting with Father Schembri (1924-2023) took place on 22nd May 1975 in Birzebbuga. We were introduced to each other by Fr. Joe Carabott, the then parish priest of Marsascala. Our first conversation took place on 27th May 1975 at our temporal residence, 64 St. Joseph Street Marsascala. Fr Schembri informed me about the…
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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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Michael Gonzi
Mgr. Michael / Mikiel Gonzi (1885-1984) Bishop of Gozo (1924-1943), Bishop of Malta (1943-1944) and Archbishop of Malta (1944-1976) My first meeting with Mgr. Gonzi took place on 25th May 1973 in the Archbishop’s palace, Valletta. Dun Charles Vella was present at the meeting ‘You are from Holland. I had a Dutch friend in Rome,…
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Emmanuel Gerada
His Lordship Mgr. Emmanuel Gerada (1920-2011) B.A., Lic.D. I.C.D., titular Bishop of Nomentum, was in those days Coadjutor to the Archbishop of Malta. He was born in Zejtun and studied in England and Rome. He was in the Vatican Diplomatic Service between 1950 and 1967. He told me he served in Egypt, India, Ireland, Japan,…
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Giorgio Borg Olivier
Politics is a risk, you have to take it Dr Borg Olivier (1911-1980) LLD. D. Litt MP was in those days Leader of the Opposition. He was Prime Minister of Malta between 1950 and 1955 and between 1962 and 1971. We met at 9th July 1973 at the Speaker’s Office during a session of Parliament.…
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Anton Buttigieg
Politics is the art of the possible Dr. Anton Buttigieg, B.A. LL.D. M.P. (1912-1983), was in those days Minister for Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. He was not only a politician, but a well-known poet as well. He was destined to become Malta’s second President of the Republic (1976-1981). We met at 26th June 1973 at…
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Mabel Strickland
Miss Mabel Strickland OBE (1899-1988) former politician and owner of several newspapers. Het father Lord Strickland (1861-1940) was a colonial governor and Prime Minister of Malta. We first met on 18th May 1973 in her Bentley. Her secretary asked me to present myself at the headquarters of the Allied Newspapers in St. Paul Street, Valletta.…
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Emilio Camelleri
Mr. Camilleri (72) was a former Health Officer. He was a Member of Parliament for the Christian Workers Party during the 1962-1966 legislation. We met on 4th July 1973 at the residence of his son in Fgura. ‘Our family came from Sicily in 1840 (Camiglieri). It means driver of Camels. My coat of arms is…