New Victoria archpriests face divided parishioners

Parishioners in Victoria are split over the Bishop's bold move to break away from tradition and replace its two archpriests with outsiders, with emotions ranging from shock to anger and nonchalance to satisfaction.

One week on, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech's decision is still on the lips of locals from the two Victoria parishes - the Cathedral and St George's Basilica - and many readily spoke to The Times about their frustrations or otherwise; even though a few were unwilling to speak out by name.

Cathedral parishioners seemed the most irked by the removal of their trusty archpriest Mgr Joe Vella Gauci, who served for over 10 years, and the Leone Philharmonic Society has even issued directives that include urging them to boycott the installation of the new archpriest, Mgr Guzepp Attard.

On the other hand, most of the basilica followers seem to have accepted the decision, putting on a brave face and welcoming their new archpriest, Mgr Pawl Cardona, who replaced Mgr Guzeppi Farrugia.

Independent sources said, however, that the basilica parishioners were seething inside and had taken it very badly. Their nonchalant attitude was intended to mask their true feelings and present the image that they were more honourable in handling matters than their counterparts at the Cathedral parish.

This was denied by a 47-year-old Basilica parishioner who said that, though saddened by the decision, Mgr Farrugia had shown great strength and maturity and urged all parishioners to support their new archpriest.

The Bishop's decision has led to an explosive situation, because parishioners from both sides attach so much importance to their parish's events, a situation that has led to years of pique and in-fighting.

The division between the two parishes in the same locality has gained notoriety and led to a situation where the two sides argue over everything, from their feast to who should be organising the Good Friday procession, with the opposing band clubs entering the fray and stoking the fire.

This is exactly why Mgr Grech decided to appoint the two monsignors to head the two parishes. So, overnight, he replaced the archpriests with two new appointees who served in Rome and as a result would come to the parish with a fresh mind uncluttered with the piques of parochialism.

The band clubs - the Leone Philharmonic Society (which supports the cathedral) and La Stella (basilica) - were doubly stunned by the decision because they were not consulted, as has been the tradition for many decades. Announcing the changes last week, Mgr Grech said the choices made would be beneficial not only to the respective parish communities but also to the whole Church in Gozo.

This did not go down well with John Grech, a cathedral parishioner, who feels the boycott is the only way they can express their dismay.

"Things happened too abruptly, which is not fair. Mgr Vella Gauci was a very good man who is still valid. True, piques existed between both sides, but that has nothing to do with the archpriests," he insisted.

A 67-year-old man echoed the sentiment, adding that if the Bishop had replaced the archpriest with a more familiar face, instead of somebody from Rome, there wouldn't have been such an uproar.

Emmanuela Grech, who forms part of the cathedral parish, is also shocked and cannot fathom why the Bishop would remove "the shepherd the people wanted".

"The way the situation was handled was wrong. The new archpriest shouldn't be the one to blame, but the boycott is justified, because we have to support Mgr Vella Gauci and give him back his dignity. It is those who stir the frenzy that should have been disciplined and not the archpriests," she insisted.

A 57-year-old woman, also a cathedral parishioner, felt the feuds between both sides had spiralled out of control.

"I support our Bishop's decision. The feasts of both sides were being robbed of their spirituality and replaced with pagan celebrations and arguments. Putting two new people at the helm was a wise move," she argued.

Marvic Camilleri, 27, agrees and said that the change was a good thing, adding that the boycott did not reflect the mood of the majority of the cathedral's parishioners but only served to pander to parochialism.

"The cathedral's former archpriest concentrated on structure and administration and I hope the new one will focus more on pastoral work. There was too much division so it's a good move," he said. Victor Camilleri, 61, felt the same way and said that whenever the feasts were approaching, parishioners would become hot-headed and the festive mood would be ruined with fighting.

Justin Bonnici, 19, a basilica parishioner, felt that the cathedral's parishioners were kicking up too much of a fuss. Change was good, he said, and it should be embraced.

Marcel Micallef, an 88-year-old basilica parishioner, gave the changeover the thumbs up and hoped that one day the lack of common sense, which had prevailed for so long, would disappear.

His 69-year-old friend concurred saying it was admirable and brave of the Bishop to attempt to stem such a long-standing feud by replacing the archpriests.

A priest, who hails from the basilica, said that though they had not been consulted prior to the move and it had come as a major surprise, the community had given the new archpriest a warm welcome.

Carmel Farrugia, the brother of the former archpriest, said that parishioners had accepted the Bishop's authority.

"It was an unexpected decision. We only got to know the night before. Having said that, we're there to support our new shepherd," he said.