Malta: Bells v. Ballots

Malta is a special landmark in Christian history,* and the Roman Catholic hierarchy has always played a weighty role in the island's affairs (present population: 330,000, of whom 98% are Catholic). But in recent times, as last week's elections again demonstrated, the church's influence has been challenged sharply by the Maltese Labor Party and its leader, Dom Mintoff, a Rhodes scholar who once studied for the priesthood.

Mortal Sin. As Prime Minister from 1955 till 1958, Mintoff advocated policies that Malta's Archbishop, Sir Michael Gonzi, feared would limit the church's...

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