Dignified reaction

The Curia's stand on the film The Da Vinci Code is a dignified one. It was right to distance itself from the pilgrimage that was going to be organised in protest against the showing of the film. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima had no place in such a protest. The holding of such a pilgrimage would have served nothing but add to the controversy and give more publicity to the film. More publicity means more spectators and more gate money. The end result would be exactly the opposite of the intention of those who protested.

A mid-week statement signed by our four bishops was in the same vein. "Catholics, especially parents, ought to be sensible and responsible in the way they deal with the novel The Da Vinci Code and its upcoming film version," the bishops said in a statement.

The bishops said both novel and film contained many statements that did not match historic facts. "The Church maintains its fundamental beliefs of the Divinity of Christ, his resurrection from death and other truths contained in the Holy Gospel."

It was a succinct, matter of fact and down to earth statement. It said all that there was to say without any emotive appeals. The Curia also informed us, through the media, that it is to issue an information manual in mid-May to answer questions raised by the novel. This is a welcome initiative that should be resorted too more frequently, especially when there are important topics. In these columns we appealed to the Curia to commission someone to translate into Maltese the summary of the Catechism that was published by the Vatican some months back. We made the same appeal when the compendium of the social teaching of the Church was published.

These two documents are surely more important than The Da Vinci Code. Malta was always among the first to publish translations of important Church documents. It is a pity that the void left by Mgr G. Lupi has not been filled. We augur that it will... soon.

Bishop Grech's investigations

Bishop Mario Grech, in the short period of time since he was installed, is showing that he is not a stereotyped kind of bishop. He does not behave in the way that traditionally bishops were expected by some to behave. His prompt reaction to the accusations that there was psychological and physical abuse in a Church home in Gozo is a reaction deserving praise. Bishop Grech did not hide behind the fact that an inquiry into the subject had already been held by his predecessor. He did nothing of the sort. The bishop did not even wait till Bondi+ (the programme that aired the views of those who felt abused by some of the sisters in the house) was transmitted.

He reacted to the accusations that were being mentioned as part of the promotion of that programme. Bishop Grech did not only order a new inquiry but appointed a board whose members are not part of the Curia. Such an inquiry with such members can be met with nothing but a high level of credibility. No one can say that this is an inside job to cover those on the inside. Another plus for Bishop Grech was the reasonably short period of time he set for the conclusion of the inquiry. One now hopes that the enquiry board will not let the bishop down and will deliver its conclusions in the appointed time.

His way of moving, and moving in fast, showed that he is after substance and not just, or mainly, PR.