The influence of the Roman Catholic Church on Midwifery practice in Malta

Abstract

The conflicts created by the Church's teachings vis-'a-vis scientific advances and society's expectations have been strongly felt in a small traditionally Roman Catholic community like the Maltese Islands. These conflicts, particularly in issues related to reproduction, have throughout the centuries resulted in efforts by the ecclesiastical authorities in Malta to control medical matters. Therefore, this article portrays how the Roman Catholic church influenced Midwifery practice in Malta.