Giuseppe Mazzuoli, The Baptism of Christ
Posted on 02/02/2006 7:35:21 PM PST by LouAvul
VALLETTA (AFP) - Malta has chosen the figure of Christ for its euro coins, officials announced, after a vote which reflected the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic island's strong Christian heritage.
The voters in a telephone poll to decide the design chose "The Baptism of Christ," a scupture by late baroque artist Giuseppe Mazzuoli which stands in the capital's St John's Cathedral.
Some denominations of the euro will feature Malta's coat of arms and the Mediterranean island's prehistoric Mnajdra temple.
"Almost 17,000 people felt they should participate in the decision making process of choosing the face of our new currency," said finance minstry official Tonino Fenech after the results of the 10-day telephone poll was announced.
Malta's 400,000 population had been presented with a shortlist of images by a committee set up by the finance ministry.
"The Baptism of Christ" topped the poll with 3,498 votes, said Fenech.
Fenech said however that another popular choice not on the original shortlist, the eight-pointed Maltese Cross, may yet feature on coins.
He is wonderful. Before he was at our parish the Tabernacle was not in back of the alter. He corrected that within days.
That's awesome
It would take a big hideous national tragedy, bigger than 9/11, to break their pride. That's human nature anywhere though, but France is haughty pride on steroids.
More power to Malta, on the very doorstep of Islam as they are.
It amazes me that a nation that was once one of the bulwarks of the faith has become one of the most faithless nations in Europe.
Giuseppe Mazzuoli, The Baptism of Christ
And sexually decadent as well.
"If only France would embrace Christ again."
If the French ever came to believe in something, they could be the greatest nation in Europe. But alas, they seem to believe in nothing, except keeping their government benefits coming.
Who cares?
What a country puts on their coins, or on their flags means nothing when compared to the faith they keep in their hearts.
Little known fact that the "cold war" was officially ended there in Malta in 1989. My brothers ship hosted George Bush 41 and Gorbachev, and myself on my ship were there.
I remember distincly as seas were EXTREMELY rough, and Bush and a few cabinet members were severly seasick.
If our Govt. ever had the cajones to put Christ on our currency, well, you know the ACLU would have a field day.
OH!
But it's okay to have obscure Americans that most present day Americans never even heard of. IE Susan B Anthony and Sacajawea.
It kills me when people stress "God bless America" when America has done everything it can to do away with any mention of God, or sat back and done NOTHING about it and fight back hard enough.
I think we should take all the money we give to those unruly Palestinians and send it to Malta
Yeah, me too. I think it's nice that people want to honor Christ, assuming that's their motive, but this just gives me an uneasy feeling. "In God We Trust" is one thing, while putting the image of Christ on a coin is a bit different.
I would be interested in the coins just for collecting them. Malta may have struck gold if they follow through, because there could be a large international interest in collecting coins from a country that doesn't hide its christian heritage.
But if Christ was on my money I would be lest inclined to spend in on unholy things or use it to gamble.
Malta - not to mention Vatican city - have been publishing Christian coins for decades, and they aren't in any particular demand. Your comment is simply wishful thinking:
I recall rough seas near Malta from my trip on a tourist boat:) I recall people getting sick. I also recall 2 dutch women I was talking to. At one point in our conversation, they oddly and simultaneously burst into singing
'What if God was one of us.'
Incidentally, the Irish 5 Punt (sp?) note used to have an image of a nun on it. Not the same as christ, but still a tribute to a part of their history.
That's what I thought too.........
They did put Christ on currency, Look at the 1914 $500 bill!
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