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.
Good for Malta!
Pingaroo
What do you want to bet that the design doesn't make it on to the coins?
The MCLU will not take this laying down!
And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Yours."
:)
My parish priest is from Malta. Matter of fact he was ordained by JPII himself.
Malta is a wonderful place to visit! I lived in Germany for a year of business travel and my company paid for my trips 'home' to the US. Each month I'd declare a new 'home' and travel at company expense (cheaper than running me back to the US, and better for me.) Malta was one of the nicest homes I ever picked. English is widely spoken, seafood is plentiful, the local wines are decent, the people are very friendly, the people are proud of their Catholicism, and the women are excruciatingly pretty and charming.
Witty. Quick, too.
I was about to say something about Caesar...
Very interesting. Thanks.
"Then render unto Me what is MINE!"
Me, too! :)
Is he any good? Some priests aren't, you know...
Let's see if the EU bureaucrats allow it.
I was thinking about it.
I applaud this action. If only France would embrace Christ again.
I don't think it will ever happen.
Sad, but true.
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