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| RADIO |
A PRECOCIOUS
HISTORIAN
Fr. Alexander Bonnici’s contribution to Radio 101 will never be forgotten.
By Eric Montfort
The sudden death of Fr. Alexander Bonnici late last
July marked the end of a researcher who did our
country proud. He also left a small but important
legacy through his contributions to Radio 101. I first
came to know Fr. Bonnici some 26 years ago when
he visited our home with another colleague from
his Franciscan Conventual Community, the late Fr.
Raphael Mompalau. However, we crossed paths again
some 14 years later, when I started to co-ordinate
Holy Week programmes for this station.
Fr. Bonnici quickly became one of the most effective
contributors to these programmes, featuring in a few
of the special programmes. Some of his programmes
were real classics and still valid today. I recall recording
the programme back in the last week of December
1999. The programme was initially broadcast on New
Year’s Day 2000, but was repeated on Good Friday due
to public demand. It was then that I realised how this
scholar, lecturer, historian and researcher would go
into great detail to provide Christian values within an
objective dimension.
His treatment of the Inquisition was an example of
his research efforts. It was published in three volumes
as ‘Storja tal-Inkwizizzjoni ta’ Malta’ and in 1998 an
abridged version in English was published as ‘Medieval
and Roman Inquisition in Malta’. In 1998, he also
published a sequel - ‘A Trial in Front of the Inquisition
in Malta’.
Another programme to which Fr. Bonnici also
contributed related to the Blessed Reverend George
Preca. This programme which was broadcast in May
2001 coincided with the Beatification of the Blessed
Preca, Ignatius Falzon and Adeodata Pisani.
He was also a regular contributor to Noel Bartolo’s
‘Fidi u Hajja’ programme.
However, Fr. Bonnici’s contributions went beyond
religion – he also had history at heart. I recall him
talking in great detail about Manwel Dimech during the
award-winning series ‘Il-Mixja Ghall-Indipendenza’. Fr.
Bonnici spent 12 minutes, almost half the programme
to explain the good and negative aspects of this Maltese
patriot. I felt that his contribution was so valid that any
Fr. Bonnici’s
contributions
went beyond
religion – he
also had
history at
heart.
tampering would drastically affect the whole argument. So at the time, I opted to
leave his contribution as it was. Fr. Bonnici was also involved in ‘Grajjiet Fl-Istorja’
when he talked about the rise of Protestantism and The Reformation. Going through
Fr. Bonnici’s list of publishings is quite an exhaustive affair, however one cannot
forget the above-featured books, as well as his works on the Blessed George Preca,
The Life and Times of Fr. Salv Grima, Madre Maria Tereza Nuzzo, A History of The
Church which was published in 16 volumes, Il-Matrici Kollegjata tal-Assunta u l-
Ewwel Parrocci t’Ghawdex as well as books about various localities, including, among
others, his works spanning every inch of the country from Nadur in Gozo to Dingli and
Mellieha in Malta. His most recent published work was a history of the Franciscan
Conventual Order in Malta and Gozo, which he covered in 760 pages. His last
contribution to this station was his treatment of the Crucifix who spoke to San Francis.
The programme which was broadcast last April on Good Friday was aired to mark the
800th anniversary of this event.
The death of Alexander Bonnici leaves a great void and he will be sadly missed
by many listeners and producers, not least myself. At the same time, Fr. Bonnici’s
works should serve as a benchmark not just in terms of historical research but also
as a means of great moral guideline. One hopes that someone with a similar zest and
energy for life will come forward to carry on his work..
38 L&S | SEPTEMBER ’06