Separation of Church and band clubs

To the consternation of its silent majority, Gozo once again finds its good name hijacked by petty parochialism in Victoria. About 40 years ago, La Stella organised a prolonged boycott against then-Bishop Nikol Cauchi; this time, it's Leone's turn to foist one.

Political science teaches us that boycotts never work. While the Bishop's Curia enjoys the warm cooperation of the various band clubs that dot the island, it seems at a loss on how to handle Victoria's Leone and La Stella. Decades ago both clubs offered their musical services to the same church. But the long-standing animosity between the two got so bad that divorce was considered the best solution.

They were split apart and assigned to two different parishes. The end result is that they still despise each other and now they attempt to include their respective parishes in the fray.

What is the solution? The separation of Church and band clubs. Just as civilisation found peace with separation of Church and state, the Curia will find peace if it axes the two Victoria band clubs from its parishes. Both band clubs boycotted the Curia at their own leisure when it suited them.

As a responsible citizen, I would neither entrust my children to them nor would I allow them to shepherd my faith.

If the two clubs want to be treated with respect by Gozo's peaceful residents, they should first hammer out a code of ethics between themselves, a code that will regulate their own behaviour, ranging from feasts to fireworks.

Once the band clubs have mutually agreed upon a code of ethics and its enforcement, then, and only then, should the Curia attempt to enter into any agreements with them, about their limited roles.

It pains me to see Gozo increasingly transformed into a society of clowns for the Maltese's entertainment. The main events that draw the Maltese to Gozo are the carnival in Nadur and the theatrics in Victoria's main feasts. The Maltese don't sail to Gozo for the religious functions but to revel in the silly spectacle in the streets. So why doesn't the Church just close the front doors of St George's and St Mary's and hold its solemn feasts entirely inside? And let the two sides fight it out among themselves in the streets, excluding them from parochial committees and accompaniments of holy statues? There is no eleventh commandment that says "and the bands must play".

Catholicism is alive and well in countries like the United States where a village feast would be an anachronism. The Curia would do well to do what would be the unthinkable within the tiny town of Victoria and kiss the two band clubs goodbye.