Page 1, 25th September 1964

25th September 1964

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Page 1, 25th September 1964 — Mgr. Gonzi lifts interdict from Dom Mintoff
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Locations: Valletta, Edinburgh

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Mgr. Gonzi lifts interdict from Dom Mintoff

Catholic Herald Reporter
ARCHBISHOP GONZ1 of Malta on Wednesday lifted the interdict imposed in 1961 on Mr. Dom Mintoff and the executive of the Malta Labour Party. He announced this in St. John's Cathedral, Valletta, in the presence of GovernorGeneral Sir Maurice Dorman and the Apostolic Delegate,
Archbishop Cardinale.
Archbishop Gonzi said he was taking this step as a fresh effort for peace and unity among the Maltese people. He added, however, that he still disapproves of the Labour Party's 1961 policy statement, and that he hopes for a response to his gesture.
It is not yet clear what effect this will have on voting at the next election in 16 months time. The advice given by confessors that voting for Mr. Mintoff's party was mortally sinful related only to the 1962 election. If relations now improve, there may be no problem of conscience at the next election at all.
Malta became independent at midnight on Sunday, Archbishop Gonzi blessed and dedicated the flag which was run up to the peal of church bells all over the island. On Monday morning, cheering crowds in the Valletta stadium heard Archbishop Cardinale read — in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh — a message from the Pope which expressed the hope that "the most cordial relations" would pievail between Church and Stale in Malta. This suggests that Pope Paul is not oblivious to the possibilities of a Mintoff victory in 1965.
In his message to Archbishop Cardinale. Pope Paul prayed: "May independent Malta be marked by peace, justice, prosperity and fidelity to its highest Catholic ideals and traditions."
He said that since the island had been given the faith by St. Paul the Apostle. that faith had been kept alive and active in the hearts of the Maltese people. He added: "We wish to testify our paternal interest in the • island and the people. our loving concern for their welfare and progress, our heartfelt affection for the Maltese. Through intercession to the Blessed Mother, we pray that most Continued on Back Page, Col. 6 cordial relations will prevail between Church and State."
Before handing the constitutional instruments to the Prime Minister, the Duke of Edinburgh read a message from the Queen recalling her "happy days" among the Maltese people when the Duke Was stationed on the island.
Welcoming Malta into the Commonwealth, the Queen paid tribute to its proud and gallant history, and to the national heroism recognised by King George VI when he bestowed on it the unique honour of the George Cross.
Speaking for himself, the Duke of Edinburgh said that Malta had never been an outpost for aggression, and "its worst sufferings were endured for the sake of the freedom of the many millions of people around the inland sea".
Malta, he said, threatened no one except the lawbreaker and the evil-doer. and "so long as Malta and Britain together now with the N.A.T.O. countries remain bound by treaty willingly agreed she will continue to be a bastion for peace-. Dr. Borg Olivier thanked the Queen for consenting to he independent Malta's.monarch. and, at the end of the ceremony, the huge crowds roared their anplause as Archbishops Gonzi and Cardinale drove round the stadium.
High Mass of thanksgiving for Malta's independence was offered in Westminster Cathedral on Sunday in the presence of Lord Mountbatten, representing t h e Queen, who heard a sermon preached by the cathedral's administrator, Mgr. Tomlinson.
Many Maltese associations were represented, and a contingent of the Royal Malta Artillery formed a guard of honour. A guard of honour dipped the new Malta flag at the Consecration. The flag is red and white, with the George Cross emblazoned in the top corner. After Mass a solemn Tr Drum was sung. and the Maltese and British national anthems were played.




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