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Koster researches about the rocky relationship between the Church and State in post-independence Malta. In 1987, however, the author states that this relationship greatly improved. ; N/A

The Maltese population has always loved feasts and rituals. The local Roman Catholic Church has since late medieval times played a central role in these festivities. Boissevain has admirably described these ceremonies in the way they were celebrated just before independence. The same author has pointed to the ever increasing scale of two community rituals, e.g. the Good Friday processions and the village festi. In this paper I would like to emphasize another aspect of feasts and rituals. Ever since Malta became independent many attempts to interfere with various religious ceremonies have been made by different groups within the Roman Catholic Church, each of them claiming to implement the consequences of the Second Vatican Council {1962-1965}. The Socialist Government that was in power between 1971 and 1987,4 also interfered several times with the celebration of religious feasts. This may he seen as a consequence of its policy to curtail the influence of Church and clergy. ; peer-reviewed

This article consists of a treasury of details regarding the Knights of the Order of St. John ranging from information about the recruiting of new Knights to the type of authority that it imposed upon Malta during its stay (1530-1798). Koster also discusses the religious affiliations that the Order carried with it. At the end is a detailed bibliography of this document. ; N/A