Recently, Archbishop Charles Scicluna confirmed in the most authoritative terms that in the year 1622, Pope Gregory XV had declared and announced that St Publius of Malta and Athens was a recognised saint, that is, St Publius was formally canonised by the Catholic Church.
One may ask: who was Pope Gregory XV?
Alessandro Ludovisi was elected Pope on February 9, 1621. During his very short term, lasting less than two years and five months, the new Pope carried out many significant changes and strengthened the administration of the Church. Among these he established the norms and regulations regarding the election of a new Pope.
This Pope was very active and officiated on a number of canonisations and beatifications. On March 12, 1622 (a date of great importance) the Pope canonised a number of saints, among whom one highlights St Francis Xaviour, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Isidore Laborer, St Philip Neri and St Theresa of Avila.
I cannot imagine that anyone in his right mind will dispute the canonisations of these well-known saints.
But for us in Malta the most important aspect of these canonisations was the fact when he formally declared and canonised Saint Publius of Malta and Athens as a recognised saint of the Catholic Church.
This shows without doubt that the canonisation of St Publius was not a secondary event when this was decreed by a very meticulous Pope. The same Pope had also decreed that the liturgical date for the feast of our saint had to be January 21 and not as was arbitrarily changed in recent years.
Thus, the year 1622 has great importance for these islands. In a matter of three years we should be celebrating the fourth centenary of this canonisation and therefore it is fitting that such an event will be commemorated on a national scale.
During the preceding years, I had frequently written about St Publius and the shipwreck of St Paul. Mainly my writings were related to clarify and correct the many misconceptions and falsities that have been invented and spread by those, who for some strange agenda, wanted to twist the truth, and these, without carrying our any proper and scientific research.
The canonisation of St Publius was not a secondary event when this was decreed by a very meticulous Pope
Regarding St Publius there are many writings by great scholars and saints and thus there is no excuse whatsoever or any reason for these stupidities to remain spreading around without any clarification. Both the ecclesiastical and civil authorities have the responsibility and duty to clarify and correct all mistaken notions.
It is my great wish that as part ofthe preparations for this centenary my writings on these topics be collected in a book which should serve as the basis for future studies.
A number of local scholars have already written and published their findings, among whom there is Fr Guido Schembri OFM, a biblical scholar of international repute, and Fr Gerardus OFM Cap who in 1954 had published an extensive study. This book was published with all the necessary ecclesiastical permissions including the Nihil Obstat of the October 18, 1953, by the Censor Theol, the “Imprimatur Permittmus” of the October 26, 1953 and above all the “Imprimatur” as decreed by the Archbishop’s Curia, the Curja Archipli Melitae on November 6, 1953, through a decree of the never forgotten and beloved Mgr. Em. Galea, Bishop of Tralles and Vicar General of the Maltese Diocese.
Let us, we the habitants of these islands, show an occasional unity to celebrate as befits this national centenary.
I would go even further and suggest that this occasion should be the ideal platform to pray to God so that other compatriots be also elevated to sainthood.
St Publius was not just the person who welcomed the Apostle of the gentiles to our islands but went one step further when he hosted the whole lot of those from the shipwreck for three full days, providing not just the lodgings but even all the food and whatever was necessary.
St Publius was not just the first convert to Christianity and eventually the first bishop, but the first Maltese to be formally canonised by a Pope.
It is high time to put away division and piques. Jesus had insisted on love and unity and the best method how to be true followers of Christ would be by showing that occasionally, we are capable of unity.
Frans Said is a pioneer radio broadcaster.
This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece