Nicolo’ Muscat: An early focus on Church-State relations in Malta

The book by Prof. Frans Ciappara Church-State Relations in late-eighteenth-century Malta. Gio. Nicolò Muscat (1735-1803) was launched on 14 September at Auberge de Castille. The book is published by the Malta University Press. The panel was composed of Fr Rene Camilleri, Dr Alfred Sant, Prof. Joseph Pirotta, Prof. Henry Frendo (chairperson) and the author.

Odele Micallef played pieces from Bach and Beethoven on her violin at the well-attended launch. Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat delivered the concluding address.

Nicolò Muscat, one of the uditori of Grand Master Rohan and his avvocato generale, was a lover of books, in contact with enlightened minds like his. A great patriot, he described Malta as a European country, which needed no foreigners except slaves, eunuchs and comedians. The speakers all emphasised primarily the foresight of Muscat, who single-hand- edly fought for the separation of State and Church. The struggle lasted for 10 years when Muscat, whom Rome had described as “a declared enemy of the Pope”, had to resign. In those turbulent times after the French Revolution Rohan had no one to rely on except the Pope, and Muscat had to be sacrificed. His ideas, however, lingered on until today, as they are part of the democratic process. The book is on sale at the Malta University Press (Guze Cassar Pullicino Building) and at leading bookshops for the price of €35.