Hospital needs religious symbols

The process of secularisation, so sadly present in much of the Western world, has well and truly arrived in Malta.

A visit to Mater Dei Hospital is enough proof of this. In an overwhelmingly Catholic country as Malta certainly is, this hospital, regularly frequented by thousands of people, is totally devoid of any religious symbols so dear to most Maltese who have, through their taxes, subsidised the construction of the hospital and who now pay for its running costs and maintenance. This is even graver in situations where much suffering and even death are commonplace. No crucifixes or statues of the mother of Christ (Mater Dei) or the saints are to be seen anywhere.

Surely, contemplation of the suffering Christ on the Cross or His sorrowful mother is a source of great consolation and strength to those, both patients and relatives, going through much pain and grief.

Any arguments brought forward that non-Catholics often frequent this hospital and might feel offended at the sight of a crucifix or a religious statue hold no ground since Roman Catholicism is the religion of the majority of the Maltese and even gets a mention in our Constitution.

The authorities are asked to quickly rectify this situation which is thoroughly unacceptable.