The bishops yesterday expressed their disappointment at a priest who allegedly expressed his support for a European Parliament candidate.

Fr Colin Apap, together with former health minister Vincent Moran, and Prof. Godfrey Pirotta, have endorsed Labour EP candidate Joseph Muscat.

The Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Nikol Cauchi, and Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale said they strongly disapproved of every act that was contrary to the word and spirit of the Church's directives.

While appreciating the fact that the majority of priests kept away from partisan politics, they reiterated that according to their directives, priests and religious could only impart the teachings of the Church when referring to social matters.

The bishops stressed that priests and religious should not offer their political beliefs, show their support for a political party, or a particular candidate. They should also never attend political activities and meetings, or take part in political programmes on TV and radio, or write on this subject in newspapers and other publications.

Whoever did not follow these directives could not have the approval of the bishops, they said.