The good old days

We are living in a world where we think we are better off than in the old days. But are we, really? Are we served better by the Church and the government? A long time ago the parish priest and the policeman at the local police station gave a much better service than they do today.

How many times has one needed a policeman or the parish priest and found him? In the old days, the police station was always occupied by a member of the force, day and night. Have a look around the police stations today, especially in Gozo, and see how many of them are in action, apart from when there is the parish feast. The same goes for the parish priest. Try to get one during the day and tell me how successful you are.

Now, it is not the priest's fault and neither is it the fault of members of the police force. They are only obeying orders. That is why this letter is addressed to the government and the Curia.

Let's start with the parish priest. Today most of these priests appear to be occupied with different jobs; they are often teachers for example. And, what's more, they studied very hard for these positions so they can earn a living. And so they should.

But that does not leave them with enough time to serve in the village and see to the needs of their people.

Now we all know that the Curia has enough money to pay its parish priests a fair and honest wage every month. That way they would be in the village all the time to serve and heal the very bad sicknesses of today's world.

If we are not careful and start acting now, we will not have any honest religious faithful left tomorrow.

We in Gozo are very lucky. We have a new and hard working Bishop. A lot of changes are taking place and it's all for the better. Let us act now. The late Pope John Paul II was sick but still worked relentlessly for the good of all the people, most of all because he wanted all the world to be saved.

With the fruits of the Church's work there would be a better, honest, safer, more hardworking society. Then it would be easier and cheaper for the government of the day to run the country.

Let's face it. We are very sick and getting worse. So let's start now.