The inquisition in Malta : origins of the tribunal

Abstract

Nowadays, when we mention the Inquisition, we may understand it to be some kind of mental torture or exaggerated pressure carried out by tyrants because of their absolute power. But the word, in its historical significance, has links with a tribunal which in the past engendered great fear, even in those who had no doubts of its fairness. The Holy Inquisition, as it was usually called, was an ecclesiastical tribunal which did its best so that no teaching against truth would infiltrate into the Christian Faith. Etymologically, the word Inquisition means that it is an official inquiry about something. It was every Inquisitor's duty to look out for evildoers in order to correct and punish them. Very often, severe punishments were meted on those who erred. Harsher punishments followed for those who persisted in their heresies. At times, the culprits were even condemned to the capital punishment. The term Inquisition was used for any type of tribunals with ecclesiastical authority. Nevertheless, there were many different forms of Inquisitions quite distinct from each other. The one instituted in Malta, with regular proceedings and with Inquisitors, substituting each other once the office was vacant, was only one of the various types. One has to understand clearly the different characteristics of each of the following: a) the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, b) the Spanish Inquisition, and c) the Roman Inquisition (better known as ''The Holy Office"). Each of these forms has its own long history. Here, no details of the general Inquisition shall be included, but only of the one in Malta.