The rising of the priests

Abstract

The Rising of the Priests of 1775 had been a small matter compared with other historical events of the island. So our historians have treated it rather summarily. This does not mean that no specific work has been devoted to it. In fact Francesco Laferla in his book "Una Giustizia Storica -- Don Gaetano Mannarino nella luce dei documenti" gives a scientific work, he appreciates the importance of the rebellion in our history, he discusses the merits of the leader of the revolt, Don Gaetano Mannarino as a Maltese nero, yet he does not give importance to its effects. Fortunato Panzavecchia, in his book,"L'Ultimo Periodo della Storia di Malta sotto il Governo dell'Ordine Gerosolimitano" deals with this event at some length, yet he only touches on its effects. Achille Ferris in his "Storia Ecclesiastica di Malta" devotes attention to it more than other historians. Although he deals with its repercussions on ecclesiastical immunity yet he does not bring out the fact that the rebellion was the climax of the long differences between the clergy and the government in the island. Both Fortunato Panzavecchia and Achille Ferris do not give references to their sources.