Parishioner objects to bishops' message

"Pandemonium" broke out during the 6 p.m. Mass at the church of our Lady of Mount Carmel in Gzira yesterday when a parishioner strongly objected to the bishops' pastoral letter on the EU referendum.

Just before reading out the message, the celebrant asked if any member of the congregation wanted to read the message because "the message would go down well with some but not with others".

As no one came forward, the celebrant said that "unfortunately, it is for me to read it".

Half-way through the message, the male parishioner objected to the contents of the message. The rest of the congregation disapproved of the parishioner's action.

The celebrant on his part asked the irate man to leave the church if the message was not to his liking.

At this point, parish priest Dun Vincenz Cachia intervened and was met by a round of applause as he prepared to read out the bishops' message.