Christianity in Malta
Encyclopedia
In the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta
the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism
.
and Saint Publius
, who was its first bishop. The Islands of St. Paul (or St. Paul's Islets), in effect only one island during low tide, are traditionally believed to be the site where Saint Paul was shipwreck
ed in the year 60 AD, on his way to trial and eventual martyrdom in Rome.
According to tradition, Publius
, the Roman Governor of Malta at the time of Saint Paul's shipwreck, became the first Bishop of Malta following his conversion
to Christianity. After ruling the Maltese Church for 31 years, Publius was transferred to the See of Athens in 90 AD, where he was martyred in 125 AD. There is scant information about the continuity of Christianity in Malta in subsequent years, although tradition has it that there was a continuous line of bishops from the days of St. Paul to the time of Emperor Constantine
. The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon
record that in 451 AD, a certain Acacius was Bishop of Malta (Melitenus Episcopus). It is also known that in 501 AD, a certain Constantinus, Episcopus Melitenensis, was present at the Fifth General Council
. In 588 Tucillus, Miletinae civitatis episcopus, was deposed by Pope Gregory I
, and his successor Trajan elected by the clergy and people of Malta in 599 AD. The last recorded Bishop of Malta before the Arab invasion of the Islands was a Greek by the name of Manas, who was subsequently incarcerated at Palermo
, Sicily.
, from the 15th century through to the late 18th century, the Grand Master
had the status of a prince of the Catholic Church, and enjoyed a special relationship with the Pope
, which occasionally led to a considerable amount of friction with the local Bishops.
. As a ruse, Napoleon asked for safe harbor to resupply his ships, and then turned his guns against his hosts once safely inside Valletta. Grand Master Hompesch
capitulated, and Napoleon stayed in Malta for a few days during which he systematically looted the moveable assets of the Order and established an administration controlled by his nominees. He then sailed for Egypt leaving a substantial garrison in Malta. Since the Order had also been growing unpopular with the local Maltese, the latter initially viewed the French with optimism. This illusion did not last long. Within months the French were closing convents and seizing church treasures. The Maltese people rebelled, and the French garrison of General Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois
retreated into Valletta. After several failed attempts by the locals to retake Valletta, they asked the British for assistance. Rear Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson decided on a total blockade, and in 1800 the French garrison surrendered.
Historically part of the Diocese of Malta, Gozitans
brought forward several petitions for the creation of an independent diocese, including in 1798, during the French occupation, and again in 1836. A third petition, brought directly to Pope Pius IX
in 1855, met with success. Instrumental in this effort were a young priest named Don Pietro Pace, who would several years later serve as Bishop of Gozo, and Sir Adriano Dingli
, Crown Advocate. The British Colonial Office signalled its approval in October 1860.
In 1863, Archpriest Michele Francesco Buttigieg was elected Auxiliary Bishop of Malta with instructions to reside in Gozo. One year later, on September 16, 1864, the Pope issued a Bull
entitled "Singulari Amore" (With remarkable Love), which decreed that the Islands of Gozo and Comino were separated from the Diocese of Malta. On September 22, 1864, Bishop Buttigieg was elected the first bishop of Gozo, with the "Matrice" in Victoria, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Maltese: "Marija Assunta"), serving as his Cathedral
.
in accordance with the Treaty of Paris
. British rule lasted 150 years until 1964 when Malta gained independence. British rule brought the first sizeable population of members of the Anglican Church and Protestant denominations in the form of civil servants and retirees. British rule was typified by a condition of religious tolerance.
is venerated
as the patron saint
of Malta. A number of parishes throughout Malta and Gozo are dedicated to him, including: the Cathedral Church at Mdina
, the Collegiates of Rabat
and Valletta
, and the parishes of Ħal-Safi
and Munxar
.
, also known as St. John the Forerunner is also revered throughout Malta. As the patron saint of the Knights of Malta/Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
, his image and symbols were incorporated into Malta's art and culture during the reign of the knights. A co-cathedral, along with numerous churches and chapels, are named in his honor.
for conspicuous gallantry in World War II as a part of the British Empire
, and its flag
bears an image of that award.
, locally known as Santa Marija, and asked the bishop to make Blessed Virgin Mary the co-patroness of the Islands. At that time there were already about 40 churches and chapel
s dedicated specifically to the Assumption. This request was accepted and promulgated more than 200 years later, on 18 February 1848, when the local bishop, H.L. Mgr Publius M. dei Conti Sant, made the Assumption a special patroness of the Maltese Islands with the words "Maria Assumpta Melitæ patrona et princeps inter sanctos titulares" (Mary, assumed in Heaven, patroness of Malta and first among titular
saints). The feast took major significance in the hearts of the Maltese when on 15 August 1942 a battered, half-sunk convoy managed to enter the Grand Harbour
of Valletta to feed the starved nation during the Second World War. Since then the Assumption has been considered as the special protectress and intercessor of the Maltese Nation.
Out of approximately 60 parishes in Malta and Gozo, 11 are dedicated to the Assumption. These include the Cathedral Church of Gozo, the parishes of Gudja
, Ħal-Għaxaq, l-Imqabba
, Qrendi
, Mosta
, Dingli
, Attard
, Mġarr
, Birkirkara
and Żebbuġ (Gozo). Many other churches have a treasured statue representing the mystery of the Assumption. Naturally, all of these being titular statues, they are the most treasured sacred artifacts of their respective communities. All statues in churches are kept with great care and devotion, however the devotion to statues representing patrons of villages is far greater than devotion to other representations.
Noteworthy details linked to the feast of the Assumption are the world-famous Mosta
Rotunda http://www.freewebs.com/mosta_rotunda (known as the Mosta Dome), the magnificent Gozo Cathedral found in the old Citadel http://www.gozocathedral.org.mt, and the exceptional annual fireworks display held on 14 August at Imqabba, organized by the St Mary Fireworks Factory of Imqabba, winners of the First Malta International Fireworks Festival (2006). This fireworks display is renowned as the best pyro-musical show on the island and thousands cram the village streets annually in order to watch it. http://www.santamarija.com
but establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion
. Freedom House
and the World Factbook report that 98 percent of the Maltese religion is Roman Catholic, making the nation one of the most Catholic countries in the world. As at 2005, the rate of regular mass attendance was estimated at 52.6 percent (51 percent for Malta Island
, 72.7 percent for Gozo
), compared to 63.4 percent in 1995. There are two territorial jurisdictions: the Archdiocese of Malta
and the Diocese of Gozo.
In public schools religious instruction in Roman Catholicism is part of the curriculum but students may opt to decline participation in religious lessons. Subsidies
are granted to private Catholic school
s.
Pope John Paul II
made a total of three pastoral visits to Malta–twice in 1990 and once in 2001, during which he beatified
three Maltese.
Religious toleration
is the norm, and the two percent of the population that is not Roman Catholic mainly consist of small communities of Muslims and Jews, in addition to Anglican
and Protestant communities consisting mostly of British retirees
. There is one Muslim religious school
in the country, and the government had approved plans for a 500-grave Muslim cemetery .
The percentage of people that attend mass in every locality of Malta:
Other totals of people attend to mass, because these localities are not in percentage:
Additionally, between a quarter and a fifth of mass attendees, are active members of a Church Movement, group or initiatives such as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
, the Neocatechumenal Way
, the Legion of Mary
, Opus Dei
, Youth Fellowship and other Church groups within the parish. Malta also has the highest number of members of the Neocatechumenal Way
per population in the world.
Malta is the only country in Europe that does not permit divorce. Performing abortion on Maltese territory is also illegal, though over the years several loopholes (non-inclusion of outer territorial waters, no mention of advertising) permitted individuals to circumvent the ban for limited time periods. In an SMS poll, Malta chose the Maltese cross
to be the image on the Maltese Euro
and rejected one of John the Baptist
baptizing Jesus
, which had garnered a strong majority in a previous poll, after attracting opposition even from the Local Bishops who did not see it fit to place Jesus' face on a coin.
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...
the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism
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...
.
| (1) The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic apostolic religion. (2) The authorities of the Roman Catholic apostolic church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and which are wrong. (3) Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic apostolic faith shall be provided in all state schools as part of compulsory education. |
| Chapter 1, Article 2 of the Constitution of Malta |
Saint Paul
The Church in Malta is described in the Book of Acts to have been founded by its patrons Saint Paul the ApostlePaul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
and Saint Publius
Saint Publius
Saint Publius is the first maltese Saint. He is venerated as the first Bishop of Malta. Publius' conversion led to Malta being the first Christian nation in the West, and one of the first in the world....
, who was its first bishop. The Islands of St. Paul (or St. Paul's Islets), in effect only one island during low tide, are traditionally believed to be the site where Saint Paul was shipwreck
Shipwreck
A shipwreck is what remains of a ship that has wrecked, either sunk or beached. Whatever the cause, a sunken ship or a wrecked ship is a physical example of the event: this explains why the two concepts are often overlapping in English....
ed in the year 60 AD, on his way to trial and eventual martyrdom in Rome.
Establishment of the Archdiocese of Malta
Saint Publius
Saint Publius is the first maltese Saint. He is venerated as the first Bishop of Malta. Publius' conversion led to Malta being the first Christian nation in the West, and one of the first in the world....
, the Roman Governor of Malta at the time of Saint Paul's shipwreck, became the first Bishop of Malta following his conversion
Religious conversion
Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religion that differs from the convert's previous religion. Changing from one denomination to another within the same religion is usually described as reaffiliation rather than conversion.People convert to a different religion for various reasons,...
to Christianity. After ruling the Maltese Church for 31 years, Publius was transferred to the See of Athens in 90 AD, where he was martyred in 125 AD. There is scant information about the continuity of Christianity in Malta in subsequent years, although tradition has it that there was a continuous line of bishops from the days of St. Paul to the time of Emperor Constantine
Constantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
. The Acts of the Council of Chalcedon
Council of Chalcedon
The Council of Chalcedon was a church council held from 8 October to 1 November, 451 AD, at Chalcedon , on the Asian side of the Bosporus. The council marked a significant turning point in the Christological debates that led to the separation of the church of the Eastern Roman Empire in the 5th...
record that in 451 AD, a certain Acacius was Bishop of Malta (Melitenus Episcopus). It is also known that in 501 AD, a certain Constantinus, Episcopus Melitenensis, was present at the Fifth General Council
Second Council of Constantinople
The Second Council of Constantinople is recognized as the Fifth Ecumenical Council by the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Old Catholics, and a number of other Western Christian groups. It was held from May 5 to June 2, 553, having been called by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian...
. In 588 Tucillus, Miletinae civitatis episcopus, was deposed by Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I , better known in English as Gregory the Great, was pope from 3 September 590 until his death...
, and his successor Trajan elected by the clergy and people of Malta in 599 AD. The last recorded Bishop of Malta before the Arab invasion of the Islands was a Greek by the name of Manas, who was subsequently incarcerated at Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, Sicily.
Sovereignty of the Order
While the Maltese Islands were under the dominion of the Knights of MaltaKnights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
, from the 15th century through to the late 18th century, the Grand Master
Grand Master (order)
Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head of various orders of knighthood, including various military orders, religious orders and civil orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order...
had the status of a prince of the Catholic Church, and enjoyed a special relationship with the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, which occasionally led to a considerable amount of friction with the local Bishops.
French occupation
Over the years, the power of the Knights declined; their reign ended when Napoleon Bonaparte's fleet arrived in 1789, en route to his expedition of EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. As a ruse, Napoleon asked for safe harbor to resupply his ships, and then turned his guns against his hosts once safely inside Valletta. Grand Master Hompesch
Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim
Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim was the 71st Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, the first German to be elected to the office....
capitulated, and Napoleon stayed in Malta for a few days during which he systematically looted the moveable assets of the Order and established an administration controlled by his nominees. He then sailed for Egypt leaving a substantial garrison in Malta. Since the Order had also been growing unpopular with the local Maltese, the latter initially viewed the French with optimism. This illusion did not last long. Within months the French were closing convents and seizing church treasures. The Maltese people rebelled, and the French garrison of General Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois
Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois
Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois was a French general during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. On 20 August 1808 he was created Comte de Belgrand de Vaubois...
retreated into Valletta. After several failed attempts by the locals to retake Valletta, they asked the British for assistance. Rear Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson decided on a total blockade, and in 1800 the French garrison surrendered.
Establishment of the Diocese of Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
brought forward several petitions for the creation of an independent diocese, including in 1798, during the French occupation, and again in 1836. A third petition, brought directly to Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
in 1855, met with success. Instrumental in this effort were a young priest named Don Pietro Pace, who would several years later serve as Bishop of Gozo, and Sir Adriano Dingli
Adrian Dingli
Sir Adrian "Adriano" Dingli, GCMG, CB was Chief Justice of Malta.He was born in Valletta, the son of Sir Paolo Dingli, a lawyer who became President of the Court of Appeal. He studied at the Bishop's Seminary at Mdina and read Law at Malta University, obtaining a doctorate in law in 1836 aged 19...
, Crown Advocate. The British Colonial Office signalled its approval in October 1860.
In 1863, Archpriest Michele Francesco Buttigieg was elected Auxiliary Bishop of Malta with instructions to reside in Gozo. One year later, on September 16, 1864, the Pope issued a Bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
entitled "Singulari Amore" (With remarkable Love), which decreed that the Islands of Gozo and Comino were separated from the Diocese of Malta. On September 22, 1864, Bishop Buttigieg was elected the first bishop of Gozo, with the "Matrice" in Victoria, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Maltese: "Marija Assunta"), serving as his Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
.
British Empire
In 1814, Malta became part of the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in accordance with the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1814)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on 30 May 1814, ended the war between France and the Sixth Coalition, part of the Napoleonic Wars, following an armistice signed on 23 May between Charles, Count of Artois, and the allies...
. British rule lasted 150 years until 1964 when Malta gained independence. British rule brought the first sizeable population of members of the Anglican Church and Protestant denominations in the form of civil servants and retirees. British rule was typified by a condition of religious tolerance.
Saint Paul
St. PaulPaul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
is venerated
Veneration
Veneration , or veneration of saints, is a special act of honoring a saint: an angel, or a dead person who has been identified by a church committee as singular in the traditions of the religion. It is practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic, and Eastern Catholic Churches...
as the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of Malta. A number of parishes throughout Malta and Gozo are dedicated to him, including: the Cathedral Church at Mdina
Mdina
Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly...
, the Collegiates of Rabat
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
and Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
, and the parishes of Ħal-Safi
Safi, Malta
Ħal Safi is a village of 1,979 people in the southeast of Malta, near Zurrieq.-History:Little documentation exists about the origins of Ħal Safi village. However, from some of the existing remains, it appears that thousands of years ago, Neolithic people built their houses on the same land which...
and Munxar
Munxar
Munxar or Il-Munxar is a village which lies on the southern side of Gozo Island, Malta, close to the village of Sannat. It has its own local village council...
.
Saint John
St. John the BaptistJohn the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
, also known as St. John the Forerunner is also revered throughout Malta. As the patron saint of the Knights of Malta/Order of Saint John of Jerusalem
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
, his image and symbols were incorporated into Malta's art and culture during the reign of the knights. A co-cathedral, along with numerous churches and chapels, are named in his honor.
Saint George
Malta is the only nation in the world that has collectively been awarded the George CrossGeorge Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
for conspicuous gallantry in World War II as a part of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, and its flag
Flags and symbols of Malta
This article is a vexillological summary of all flags and symbols in current use by the island nation of Malta. More information on the history of the various flags and emblems, as well as on their equivalents which are no longer in use, is found on the specific articles, linked to in the subtitle...
bears an image of that award.
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Since 1600 the Maltese were devoted to the Assumption of the VirginAssumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
, locally known as Santa Marija, and asked the bishop to make Blessed Virgin Mary the co-patroness of the Islands. At that time there were already about 40 churches and chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
s dedicated specifically to the Assumption. This request was accepted and promulgated more than 200 years later, on 18 February 1848, when the local bishop, H.L. Mgr Publius M. dei Conti Sant, made the Assumption a special patroness of the Maltese Islands with the words "Maria Assumpta Melitæ patrona et princeps inter sanctos titulares" (Mary, assumed in Heaven, patroness of Malta and first among titular
Titular (Catholicism)
In Roman Catholicism, a titular can be:*the cardinal who holds a titulus, one of the main churches of Rome. Such holders were initially by tradition native-born Romans . The first church in Rome to have a non-Italian titular was Santi Quattro Coronati: Dietrich of Trier was appointed titular in...
saints). The feast took major significance in the hearts of the Maltese when on 15 August 1942 a battered, half-sunk convoy managed to enter the Grand Harbour
Grand Harbour
Grand Harbour is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been used as a harbour since at least Phoenician times...
of Valletta to feed the starved nation during the Second World War. Since then the Assumption has been considered as the special protectress and intercessor of the Maltese Nation.
Out of approximately 60 parishes in Malta and Gozo, 11 are dedicated to the Assumption. These include the Cathedral Church of Gozo, the parishes of Gudja
Gudja
Gudja is a village in Malta with a population of 2,901 . The village is located on a small hill south of the city of Valletta overlooking Malta International Airport....
, Ħal-Għaxaq, l-Imqabba
Mqabba
Mqabba is a town in the south of Malta. Situated at the heart of a soft limestone area, the surrounding of the village is barren and stripped with quarries. Mqabba is renowned for the construction industry, and holds more than a quarter of the quarries in Malta...
, Qrendi
Qrendi
Qrendi is a small village in the southwest of Malta, with a population of 2,527 people . It isġ near Mqabba and Żurrieq. Within its boundaries are two well-known Neolithic temples called Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim. In this village two feasts are held annually...
, Mosta
Mosta
Mosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. It had a population of 19,018 people in 2010. Mosta celebrates the feast of Saint Mary the Assumption on the 15th August. This is a very popular feast among the Mostin and tourists alike...
, Dingli
Dingli
Ħad-Dingli is a village on the west coast of Malta, with a population of 3,326 persons , 13 kilometers from the capital Valletta and two kilometers from the nearest town, Rabat. The village lies on a plateau some 250 metres above sea level, which is one of the highest points of Malta...
, Attard
Attard
Ħ'Attard is a village located at the centre-most point of the island of Malta. Together with Balzan and Lija it forms part of "the Three Villages" and has been inhabited since the Classical Period. Ħ'Attard's traditional Latin motto is Florigera rosis halo due to its many flower gardens and citrus...
, Mġarr
Mgarr
Mġarr or Imġarr, formerly known as Mgiarro, is a small town in the northwest of the mainland of Malta. Mgarr is a typical rural village situated in an isolated region, west of Mosta. It is surrounded with rich farmland and vineyards...
, Birkirkara
Birkirkara
Birkirkara or B'Kara is a city of 25,858 inhabitants in central Malta. It is the most populated town on the island and consists of four autonomous parishes: St Helen, St Joseph, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Mary. It also houses one of the most famous colleges in Malta, St Aloysius' College...
and Żebbuġ (Gozo). Many other churches have a treasured statue representing the mystery of the Assumption. Naturally, all of these being titular statues, they are the most treasured sacred artifacts of their respective communities. All statues in churches are kept with great care and devotion, however the devotion to statues representing patrons of villages is far greater than devotion to other representations.
Noteworthy details linked to the feast of the Assumption are the world-famous Mosta
Mosta
Mosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. It had a population of 19,018 people in 2010. Mosta celebrates the feast of Saint Mary the Assumption on the 15th August. This is a very popular feast among the Mostin and tourists alike...
Rotunda http://www.freewebs.com/mosta_rotunda (known as the Mosta Dome), the magnificent Gozo Cathedral found in the old Citadel http://www.gozocathedral.org.mt, and the exceptional annual fireworks display held on 14 August at Imqabba, organized by the St Mary Fireworks Factory of Imqabba, winners of the First Malta International Fireworks Festival (2006). This fireworks display is renowned as the best pyro-musical show on the island and thousands cram the village streets annually in order to watch it. http://www.santamarija.com
Current status and law
The Constitution of Malta provides for freedom of religionFreedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
but establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion
State religion
A state religion is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state...
. Freedom House
Freedom House
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
and the World Factbook report that 98 percent of the Maltese religion is Roman Catholic, making the nation one of the most Catholic countries in the world. As at 2005, the rate of regular mass attendance was estimated at 52.6 percent (51 percent for Malta Island
Malta Island
Malta Island is the largest of the three major islands that constitute the Maltese archipelago and Republic of Malta. Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea directly south of Italy and north of Libya. The area is 246 km² . The capital is Valletta, largest city is Qormi and the largest...
, 72.7 percent for Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
), compared to 63.4 percent in 1995. There are two territorial jurisdictions: the Archdiocese of Malta
Archdiocese of Malta
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in Malta. The former Diocese of Malta was elevated to archdiocese on January 1, 1944...
and the Diocese of Gozo.
In public schools religious instruction in Roman Catholicism is part of the curriculum but students may opt to decline participation in religious lessons. Subsidies
Subsidy
A subsidy is an assistance paid to a business or economic sector. Most subsidies are made by the government to producers or distributors in an industry to prevent the decline of that industry or an increase in the prices of its products or simply to encourage it to hire more labor A subsidy (also...
are granted to private Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
s.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
made a total of three pastoral visits to Malta–twice in 1990 and once in 2001, during which he beatified
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
three Maltese.
Religious toleration
Religious toleration
Toleration is "the practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves. One can meaningfully speak of tolerating, ie of allowing or permitting, only if one is in a position to disallow”. It has also been defined as "to bear or endure" or "to nourish, sustain or preserve"...
is the norm, and the two percent of the population that is not Roman Catholic mainly consist of small communities of Muslims and Jews, in addition to Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
and Protestant communities consisting mostly of British retirees
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
. There is one Muslim religious school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
in the country, and the government had approved plans for a 500-grave Muslim cemetery .
The percentage of people that attend mass in every locality of Malta:
| Locality | % of attenders |
|---|---|
| Mdina Mdina Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly... - St. Paul |
88% |
| Kerċem Kercem Ta' Kerċem is a village on Gozo Island, Malta, with a population of 1,654 people .The village of Ta' Kerċem lies close by to the south-west of Victoria, spread between the picturesque Lunzjata Valley, the green hills of Tal-Mixta, Għar Ilma and Ta' Dbieġi, and stretching up to the Pond of Għadira... - St. Gregory and Our Lady of Health |
86% |
| San Lawrenz - St. Lawrence | 85% |
| Fontana Fontana, Gozo Il-Fontana is a village on Gozo Island, Malta, with a population of 846 people .Fontana originated from the suburb of Victoria on the Rabat-Xlendi road. Its local name is "It-Triq tal-Ghajn", , and it took its name from a spring at the bottom of the road leading to Xlendi, known locally as... - Sacred Heart of Jesus |
83% |
| Lija Lija Lija is a small village on the island of Malta. It forms part of the Three villages of Malta, along with Attard and Balzan. Lija has a baroque parish church and seven other small chapels... - Transfiguration of Jesus |
78% |
| Victoria, Gozo - St. Mary and St. George | 77% |
| Xewkija Xewkija Xewkija is a village on Gozo Island, Malta. The population of Xewkija is 3,115 , that is the fourth largest in Gozo, after Victoria , Nadur and Xagħra .-History:... - St. John the Baptist |
75% |
| Xagħra - Nativity of Our Lady | 74% |
| Għarb - Visitation of Our Lady | 75% |
| Għajnsielem - Our Lady of Loreto | 73% |
| Qala Qala Qala is a village on Gozo Island, Malta, with a population of 1,609 people . Nearby is Ħondoq ir-Rummien, a coastline with salt pans and caves popular with snorkellers.... - St. Joseph |
72% |
| Mġarr Mgarr Mġarr or Imġarr, formerly known as Mgiarro, is a small town in the northwest of the mainland of Malta. Mgarr is a typical rural village situated in an isolated region, west of Mosta. It is surrounded with rich farmland and vineyards... - St. Mary |
72% |
| Sannat Sannat Ta' Sannat is a village on Gozo Island, Malta, with a population of 2,200 persons . Ta' Sannat is in the south of Gozo, popular for its very high cliffs, ancient cart ruts, temples and dolmens, and rich fauna and flora... - St. Margharite |
70% |
| Għargħur- St. Bartholomew | 67% |
| Għasri - Corpus Christi | 66% |
| Nadur Nadur -History:The word "Nadur" which in Maltese means "lookout", is derived from the Arabic word nadara. The town's motto means much the same. Ajwa.... - St. Peter and St. Paul |
66% |
| Balzan Balzan Ħal Balzan is small village in Malta, one of the so called three villages, together with Attard and Lija.The village originally consisted of a group of small dwellings and farms but eventually grew, becoming a parish in the 17th century... - The Annunciation |
66% |
| Munxar Munxar Munxar or Il-Munxar is a village which lies on the southern side of Gozo Island, Malta, close to the village of Sannat. It has its own local village council... - St. Paul |
64% |
| Gudja Gudja Gudja is a village in Malta with a population of 2,901 . The village is located on a small hill south of the city of Valletta overlooking Malta International Airport.... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
60% |
| Mosta Mosta Mosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. It had a population of 19,018 people in 2010. Mosta celebrates the feast of Saint Mary the Assumption on the 15th August. This is a very popular feast among the Mostin and tourists alike... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
60% |
| Iklin Iklin L-Iklin is a relatively modern village in the centre of Malta, with a population of 3,203 people , situated between Birkirkara, Naxxar and Ħal Lija. L-Iklin detached itself only recently from neighbouring village, Lija. A number of commercial outlets have more recently opened in the area. It also... - Holy Family |
60% |
| Siġġiewi Siggiewi Siġġiewi is a village and a local council in the southwestern part of Malta. It is situated on a plateau, a few kilometres away from Mdina, the ancient capital city of Malta, and 10 kilometres away from Valletta, the contemporary capital... - St. Nicholas |
58% |
| Rabat Rabat, Malta Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the... - St. Paul |
58% |
| Dingli Dingli Ħad-Dingli is a village on the west coast of Malta, with a population of 3,326 persons , 13 kilometers from the capital Valletta and two kilometers from the nearest town, Rabat. The village lies on a plateau some 250 metres above sea level, which is one of the highest points of Malta... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
57% |
| Attard Attard Ħ'Attard is a village located at the centre-most point of the island of Malta. Together with Balzan and Lija it forms part of "the Three Villages" and has been inhabited since the Classical Period. Ħ'Attard's traditional Latin motto is Florigera rosis halo due to its many flower gardens and citrus... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
57% |
| Tarxien Tarxien -Etymology:Ħal Tarxien is a small village in the south east of Malta. The etymology of the village may be a corruption of Tirix, meaning a large stone, similar to those used for the village's noted temples. The village motto is Tyrii Genure Coloni .-Population:Today, the village is inhabited by... - The Annunciation |
55% |
| Żebbuġ, Malta Zebbug, Malta Ħaż-Żebbuġ or Città Rohan is one of the oldest towns in Malta. Its population is 12,892 as of 2010 making it the 12th largest town in Malta.-History and origins:... - St. Philip of Aggira |
54% |
| Qormi Qormi Qormi is a city in Malta with a population of 18,550 , which makes it the second largest locality in Malta... - Parish of St. George and Parish of St. Sebastian |
54% |
| Naxxar Naxxar Naxxar is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 13,647 people . The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8... - Our Lady of Victory |
54% |
| Santa Luċija Santa Lucija Santa Luċija is a small village which is one of the modern towns developed during the 20th century on the island of Malta. By virtue of an article which appeared in Government Gazette of 7 July 1961 the area between Tal-Barrani and Luqa By-Pass. Santa Luċija was named after a 16th century chapel... - St. Pius X |
54% |
| Ħamrun - Parish of St. Cajten and Parish of the Immaculate Conception | 54% |
| Mellieħa - Our Lady of Victory | 53% |
| Qrendi Qrendi Qrendi is a small village in the southwest of Malta, with a population of 2,527 people . It isġ near Mqabba and Żurrieq. Within its boundaries are two well-known Neolithic temples called Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim. In this village two feasts are held annually... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
53% |
| Żabbar Zabbar Ħaż-Żabbar is the fourth largest town in Malta, with a population of 17,030 . Originally a part of Żejtun, Ħaż-Żabbar was granted the title of Città Hompesch by the last of the Grandmasters of the Knights of St... - Our Lady of Graces |
53% |
| Paola Paola, Malta Paola, , is a town in the Grand Harbour area of Malta, with a population of 8,856 people . It is named after its founder, the Grandmaster Antoine de Paule, but is commonly known as Raħal Ġdid, which means new town in Maltese.Paola is renowned for its shopping centres, Good Friday procession, its... - Parish of Christ the King and Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes |
52% |
| Marsaxlokk Marsaxlokk Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta, with a population of 3,277 people . The village’s name comes from marsa, which means "port" and xlokk, which is the local name for south east... Our Lady of Pompeii |
52% |
| Floriana Floriana Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner... - St. Publius |
52% |
| Mqabba Mqabba Mqabba is a town in the south of Malta. Situated at the heart of a soft limestone area, the surrounding of the village is barren and stripped with quarries. Mqabba is renowned for the construction industry, and holds more than a quarter of the quarries in Malta... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
52% |
| Żebbuġ, Gozo Zebbug, Gozo Iż-Żebbuġ is a small village on the island of Gozo in Malta located in the northwest of the island, close to the towns of Gharb and Marsalforn, on a hilltop overlooking the coast. As of November 2005, it had a population of 1770. The word Żebbuġ means "olives", a crop for which the village used to... - The Assumption of Our Lady |
52% |
| Żurrieq Zurrieq Żurrieq is one of the oldest towns in Malta, and has a population of 12,000 inhabitants . Żurrieq is situated in the South West of Malta. The first documentation about it being a parish dates back to 1436 dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The island of Filfla is administratively a part of... - St. Catherine of Alexandria |
51% |
| Marsa - Parish of the Holy Trinity and Parish of Maria Regina | 51% |
| Għaxaq - The Assumption of Our Lady | 51% |
| Pembroke Pembroke, Malta Pembroke, Malta's newest town, is on the northern coast of Malta. To the east is Paceville, the nightlife district of Malta. The coastal town and tourist hub of St. Julian's lies to the southeast, and the residential area of Swieqi lies to the south... |
51% |
| 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... - St. Joseph |
51% |
| Żejtun Zejtun Żejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname.... - St. Catherine of Alexandria |
50% |
| Safi Safi, Malta Ħal Safi is a village of 1,979 people in the southeast of Malta, near Zurrieq.-History:Little documentation exists about the origins of Ħal Safi village. However, from some of the existing remains, it appears that thousands of years ago, Neolithic people built their houses on the same land which... - St. Paul |
49% |
| Fgura Fgura Fgura is a town in the south of Malta. It is one of the 68 local councils.Much of Fgura was built around the 1960s. However, the town has prehistoric roots - there are several tombs in the area - and there is evidence to suggest it was a settlement in Phoenician times... - Our Lady of Monte Carmel |
47% |
| Valletta Valletta Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's... - Parish of St. Paul's Shipwreck, Parish of Our Lady of Porto Salvo, and Parish of St. Augustine |
47% |
| Kirkop Kirkop Ħal Kirkop is a small village in the south of Malta. It is found near the Malta International Airport and this settlement has a rich history, that of even Punic times. The parish church is dedicated to St. Leonard. Apart from the feast of St. Leonard, a secondary big feast of St. Joseph is... - St. Leonard |
45% |
| Birgu Birgu 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:... - St. Lawrence |
45% |
| Msida Msida Msida or Imsida is a harbour town in Malta with a population of 7,623 . The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, San... - St. Joseph |
45% |
| Birżebbuġa Birzebbuga Birżebbuġa is a small but flourishing seaside resort not far from Marsaxlokk in south-east Malta. It is approximately 8 miles from the City of Valletta. Popular among Maltese holiday-makers for decades, this village is perhaps best known for its important archaeological sites, especially Għar... - St. Peter in Chains |
43% |
| San Ġwann San Gwann -History:The San Ġwann suburb is mostly made up of relatively modern buildings having been established as a parish only in 1965. However, the few scattered archeological remains found in the region suggest that San Ġwann has an ancient history which is woven into the national history of Malta.The... - Our Lady of Lourdes |
43% |
| Mtarfa Mtarfa Imtarfa, or Mtarfa is a small town close to Rabat and Mdina in the north of Malta, with a population of 2,430 people .-History:... - St. Lucy |
42% |
| Gżira Gzira Gżira is a town in the north-eastern coast of Malta between Msida & Sliema, and bordering on Ta' Xbiex, with its famed yacht marina and Embassy Row. The population is approximately 7,100 . The word Gżira means "island" in Maltese, and the town is named after Manoel Island which lies just adjacent... - Our Lady of Monte Carmel |
41% |
| Swieqi Swieqi Is-Swieqi is a municipality and town in northeastern Malta. It is a residential area just 15 minutes by bus from Tas-Sliema and within striking distance of Malta's nightlife and entertainment centres, Paceville and St. Julian's. As Is-Swieqi developed, its residential estates took over farmland... - The Immaculate Conception |
41% |
| Marsaskala Marsaskala Marsaskala is a sea-side village in Malta that has grown up around the small harbour at the head of Marsaskala Bay, a long narrow inlet also known as Marsaskala Creek... - St. Anne |
40% |
| Bormla - The Immaculate Conception | 39% |
| Luqa Luqa Ħal Luqa is a village located in the south east of Malta. It is an old town that has a dense population, typical of the Maltese Islands. The population of Ħal Luqa is 6,028 . There is a church in its main square dedicated to St. Andrew. The traditional feast of St... - St. Andrew |
39% |
| Pietà Pietà, Malta Tal-Pietà is a small town located on the outskirts of Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Tal-Pietà is the suburb next-closest to the capital after Floriana. Its name is derived from Italian and signifies "mercy".-Description:... - Our Lady of Fatima |
38% |
| Isla Senglea Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities in the east of Malta, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great... - Our Lady of Victory |
37% |
| San Pawl il-Baħar - Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows, Parish of Sacred Heart of Mary, and Parish of St. Frances of Assisi | 36% |
Other totals of people attend to mass, because these localities are not in percentage:
| Locality | total of attenders |
|---|---|
| Balluta - Our Lady of Monte Carmel | 1,284 |
| Birkirkara Birkirkara Birkirkara or B'Kara is a city of 25,858 inhabitants in central Malta. It is the most populated town on the island and consists of four autonomous parishes: St Helen, St Joseph, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Mary. It also houses one of the most famous colleges in Malta, St Aloysius' College... - Parish of St. Helen, Parish of Our Lady of Monte Carmel, Parish of St. Mary and Parish of St. Joseph the Worker |
9,851 |
| San Ġiljan - St. Julian | 3,267 |
| Santa Venera Santa Venera Santa Venera is a town in Malta, with a population of around 6,800 . This settlement is found in the Outer Harbour Region of Malta. The oldest buildings in Santa Venera are Wignacourt Aqueduct and Casa Leoni, both of which were built by the Knights of St. John.A new church has been built recently... - St. Venera |
2,508 |
| Sliema Sliema Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing... - Parish of Stella Maris, Parish of Sacro Cour, Parish of St. Gregory the Great, and Parish of Jesus of Nazzareth |
5,585 |
Additionally, between a quarter and a fifth of mass attendees, are active members of a Church Movement, group or initiatives such as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church. Worship is characterized by vibrant Masses, as well as prayer meetings featuring prophecy, healing and "praying in tongues." This movement is based on the belief that certain charismata , bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as...
, the Neocatechumenal Way
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, NC Way or, colloquially, The Way or The Neocats is an itinerary within the Catholic Church dedicated to the Christian formation of adults...
, the Legion of Mary
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is an association of Catholic laity who serve the Church on a voluntary basis. It was founded in Dublin, Ireland, as a Roman Catholic Marian Movement by layman Frank Duff. Today between active and auxiliary members there are in excess of 10 million members worldwide making it...
, Opus Dei
Opus Dei
Opus Dei, formally known as The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei , is an organization of the Catholic Church that teaches that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. The majority of its membership are lay people, with secular priests under the...
, Youth Fellowship and other Church groups within the parish. Malta also has the highest number of members of the Neocatechumenal Way
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, NC Way or, colloquially, The Way or The Neocats is an itinerary within the Catholic Church dedicated to the Christian formation of adults...
per population in the world.
Malta is the only country in Europe that does not permit divorce. Performing abortion on Maltese territory is also illegal, though over the years several loopholes (non-inclusion of outer territorial waters, no mention of advertising) permitted individuals to circumvent the ban for limited time periods. In an SMS poll, Malta chose the Maltese cross
Maltese cross
The Maltese cross, also known as the Amalfi cross, is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta and through them came to be identified with the Mediterranean island of Malta and is one of the National symbols of Malta...
to be the image on the Maltese Euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
and rejected one of John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
baptizing Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, which had garnered a strong majority in a previous poll, after attracting opposition even from the Local Bishops who did not see it fit to place Jesus' face on a coin.
See also
- MaltaMaltaMalta , 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...
- Culture of MaltaCulture of MaltaThe culture of Malta is the culture of the Maltese islanders and reflects various societies that have come into contact with the Maltese Islands throughout the centuries, including neighbouring Mediterranean cultures, and the cultures of the nations that ruled Malta for long periods of time prior...
- Maltese peopleMaltese peopleThe Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
- Islam in MaltaIslam in MaltaIslam is believed to have been introduced to Malta when the Muslims captured Sicily from the Byzantines in 870. Malta returned to a Christian European power with the Norman Conquest in 1091. Muslims were allowed to practise their religion freely until the 13th century.The present-day Muslim...
- History of the Jews in MaltaHistory of the Jews in MaltaThe history of the Jews in Malta can be traced back to approximately 62 CE. Most contemporary Maltese Jews are Sefardic, however an Ashkenazic prayer book is used.-Antiquity:...
- Religion by country
- Roman Catholicism in Malta