Bishop Leonardo Abela - August 27, 2006

Four and a half years ago, Dr Giovanni Bonello wrote: "...I have been toying with the idea of dedicating a monograph to him." (The Sunday Times, March 31, 2002). The "him" in that quote refers to Bishop Leonardo Abela (1541-1605), a prominent Maltese...

Four and a half years ago, Dr Giovanni Bonello wrote: "...I have been toying with the idea of dedicating a monograph to him." (The Sunday Times, March 31, 2002).

The "him" in that quote refers to Bishop Leonardo Abela (1541-1605), a prominent Maltese scholar of the cinquecento who, among other prestigious titles, carried that of Bishop of Sidonia.

A remarkable linguist, fluent in Hebrew, Chaldean, Syrian and Arabic, he held many important posts in the upper echelons of the Church, including that of being an adviser to the committee working on the Gregorian reform of the calendar.

Bishop Abela lived in Tarxien, where his villa with its extensive grounds still stands. May I ask Dr Bonello, now retired, whether the idea he was toying with will become a reality? We hope so.

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