Melita Historica special edition, vol. XVI (2) [Introduction]

Abstract

In 1654, the Roman Inquisition investigated the Hospitaller Governor of Gozo; his name was Fra Georgio Beringho and he was possibly Polish.' The Neapolitan priest Don Joannes Antonio described the Governor of Gozo sitting in his hall, surrounded by his own 'court', consisting of the preacher Father Feriolo, the doctor Pietro Paolo Bonnici, the notary Domenico Conte, the priest Father Archangelo Saliba and others. The preacher Father Feriolo was talking about the Gospels, when the Governor described how he had heard, on various occasions, Lutheran sermons in his country. This distubed those around the Governor; moreover, the Governor ate meat on prohibited days. It also transpired that the Governor's parents had been heretics, but that they had reconciled themselves with the Catholic Church.