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Description: | Portrait of Vincenzo Labini of Bitonto, Bishop of Malta and Archbishop of Rhodes, 1780-1807. He is represented here as both Bishop and Knight of the Order. Labini's appointment to the Bishopric of Malta was a controversial one; normally the choice of candidate fell on the Grand Master, who would seek approval from the Holy Roman Emperor and present his choice to the Pope. In this case, however, Labini's name was put forward by the King of Spain and the two Sicillies, Ferdinand IV, with Grand Master Rohan complying for diplomatic reasons. Consecrated in June 1780, Labini was granted the Grand Cross and a place in the Council, no doubt giving Ferdinand an important influence in the Order's affairs. Among the reforms Labini hoped to introduce was stricter training of the Order's priests. This caused some tension between the Bishop and the Prior of the Conventual Church, who was responsible for the spiritual advancement of Order chaplains. Labini is known for having greeted Napoleon in 1898, in an attempt to safeguard the Catholic Church in Malta. He was, however, forced to relinquish his Order insignia. | Subjects: | portrait (Vincenzo Labini) | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Maltese School Æ | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8604... | Go to resource |
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