18 Facts About Mikiel Gonzi

Mikiel Gonzi had been enthroned as Bishop of Malta in December 1943, and was consecrated as the first Archbishop of Malta in 1944.

Mikiel Gonzi had been Bishop of Gozo and an elected Labour Senator in the Malta Legislative Assembly.

Mikiel Gonzi was a staunch opponent of homosexuality, on his belief that it was a grave sin, "unnatural" and practiced by the "sick".

Mikiel Gonzi was in support of the 're-introduction' of the Italian language, instead of promoting Maltese, but his waited opportunism was never realised.

Mikiel Gonzi was a social smoker who generally smoked cigars.

Mikiel Gonzi was born as Michele Gonzi in Vittoriosa on 13 May 1885.

Mikiel Gonzi was the son of Giuseppe Gonzi and Margherita Tonna.

Mikiel Gonzi had one younger brother, Lorenzo Gonzi, and four elder half-siblings from his father's first marriage to Maria Xerri.

Mikiel Gonzi held this office until 14 October 1943, when he became coadjutor bishop of Malta and Titular Bishop of Lyrbe.

Mikiel Gonzi became Archbishop of Malta in 1944 when Malta was elevated to an archdiocese.

Mikiel Gonzi was instrumental in helping families without decent dwellings to find good houses.

Mikiel Gonzi commissioned the construction of apartments for families and was the motor behind the construction of many churches especially the one in Kalkara.

Mikiel Gonzi resigned his post as Archbishop of Malta in 1976 when he was succeeded by Joseph Mercieca.

Mikiel Gonzi feared that the privileged position of the Catholic Church would be lost to the Anglican Church once Malta became part of the United Kingdom and asked for guarantees which were never forthcoming.

Mikiel Gonzi condemned the violent protests and accused the Labour Party of supporting them.

On St Patrick's Day, 17 March 1961, Mikiel Gonzi 'interdicted' supporters of the Labour Party, specifically, the Party's Executive Committee, readers, distributors and advertisers in the Party papers and voters and candidates of the Party.

Mikiel Gonzi was knighted for his services during the Second World War when, as Bishop of Gozo during a critical phase of the war when supplies were running low, he encouraged Gozitan farmers to put their hoarded grain on the market to bring down the price of bread.

Mikiel Gonzi was appointed Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 1965.