Compassion and forgiveness

Revel Barker (October 24) referred to Malta, together with Ireland, as a "priest-ridden island". As a foreigner living in this country the least that is expected of him is to show respect and indeed good manners towards those among whom he has chosen to live.

He can be assured that in Malta many Maltese are extremely happy and grateful to have such a large number of priests living among them, continuously ministering to their needs with love and dedication.

Indeed, we pray to the good Lord to send us more such priests, who, in their majority, are an example to us all.

As for the case of the alleged child abuse by a Gozitan priest, it is sad to reflect that those journalists and that section of the media who are always striving to have Malta discard its Christian values in order to follow the liberal (read pagan) way of life practised in many countries (cohabitation, divorce, abortion, gay marriages and euthanasia) are the loudest and shrillest in their condemnation not only, rightly enough, of the abuse that allegedly took place but of the accused himself.

Child abuse is a heinous crime and there can be no doubt about that. However, there cannot be two weights and two measures when considering such events.

One can never refer approvingly to Christ's refusal to condemn the woman caught in adultery (while insisting that she should sin no more) and at the same time be so ruthlessly and mercilessly hard towards this priest.

While human justice has to take its course, it is clear that for Christians there is no sinner that does not deserve to receive compassion and no sin that, with God's grace, cannot be overcome.

"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."