Thursday, 17th July 2008 - 10:29CET

Bishops call for talks to end transport strike

The bishops of Malta and Gozo have urged both parties in the public transport dispute to hold talks and resolve the issue in the interests of common sense and justice.

Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech in a joint statement said they were aware of the hardship being felt by the workers, their families and the people and they were urging everyone to keep calm and respect public order.

They also expressed appreciation that the hearses were back in operation so that the deceased could be buried with dignity.

They also urged the faithful to pray for a fair solution to the dispute.

Comments

George Cremona (on 17/7/08)

To strike for a just reason is legitimate and deserve to be morally and physically supported but to abuse of the right to strike to commit violent acts, to intimidate and to suppress others from doing their own business by threatening and worse than that by using physical violence on them or on their own property is criminal. Such acts should be severely punished. As should be punished the so called Public Transport Federation and its irresponsible members who, through their criminal deeds, have shown that they are not thrust worthy and therefore should be stripped of their licenses.

S.Borg (on 17/7/08)

@Franco Farrugia

I'm not sure what the Bishops' role should be in this industrial dispute. True that there is the discomfort of unburied people (that could also spark talks on having cremation services introduced). I would have expected them more to comment on Gonzi's remark that talks on the introduction of divorce may start in these islands.

David Zammit (on 17/7/08)

Quiet honestly Mr.Farrugia I'd rather they didn't say anything at all. Why don't they look after their own and let Ceasar look after his. The Idea that they must prounonce and pontificate on everything all the time I find unnecessary and boring. Maybe they should take a leaf out of the Protestants book and keep silence unless they speak better than silence.

emanuel fenech (on 17/7/08)

Unfortunately, from our bishops we have got used to hear platitudes and not much else. Leadership is not one of their forte. Even after having a Pontif who was not afraid to show stong leadership, and the whole world came to give him homage at his funeral. No our church leaders are made of different stuff. So if readers are expecting an outright condemnation from our bishops of the violence (which we all thought had been expunged from our physic) we all witnessed these past few days, well they will not get it. Sitting 'gallaria' is easier, isn't it!

DVella (on 17/7/08)

The Bishops of Malta and Gozo would be far better served to stop pontificating and making bland statements! They should come clean and condemn the widespread civil disorder, the damage to honest workerstrying to do their job, the disruption of tourism and damage to businesses, the violence and criminal actions. If they truly stand for christianity and promotion of christian behaviour, I need not point out the obvious because anyone with half a brain can realise that the disgusting behaviour of the participants in this sham 'industrial action' is based purely on greed and selfishness and is totally opposed to anything even remotely christian. If they have nothing more meaningful to say then perhaps they should hold their counsel and pray for an equitable end to this sorry business!!!

Janice Grech (on 17/7/08)

Yes, prayer is going to get this situation veeery far, isn't it? Come on, Bishops! Quiet for three days, and your best shot is to tell the faithful to pray for a solution!

Emmanuel Vella (on 17/7/08)

What did Franco Farrugia expect to Bishops to do? They did what was expected of them. When things were getting out of hand they begged for common sense to prevail. The Bishops are not the authority to solve these problems, but the goverment is. It seems that the goverment did not do much either.

J. Borg (on 17/7/08)

Mr. Farrugia - maybe they were enjoying a holiday down under, and unfortunately for them there were no air transport strikes.

Albert Mifsud (on 17/7/08)

Finally! The bishops are finally saying something! Their appeal should be welcomed and heard!

Bu how about ´the hardship being felt by the workers, their families and the people´by the increase of the surcharge, corruption, abouses and haressments at work places, not to mention other issues! Why do our bishops keep silent in front of these sufferings?

Sandro Agius (on 17/7/08)

Franco Farrugia, you are not fair in your comment for as you know the Archbishop is in Australia and the Bishop of Gozo came to know what was happening in Malta a bit late maybe. Why when the church speaks there is always someone who wants to say something against...The bishops said nothing new which everyone already knew that were Christian values. Maybe instead of mourning Pope John Paul 2, Maltese would make it better to know what he taught - Non-Violence

josephine borg (on 17/7/08)

LIBERALISE PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLEASE ... AND RID US FROM THE DAILY ARROGANCE WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH FROM FILTHY-MOUTHED DRIVERS AND THEIR FILTHY BUSES. Many of us daily commuters know what hardships we have to endure, come rain or shine, waiting for buses to turn up at the Valletta terminus. Why not ask us what our opinion is of the shabby public transport. People who do not use the bus service cannot even start to understand what it's like to have to rely on public transport. LIBERALISE please

L Gatt (on 17/7/08)

what hardship are bus drivers suffering?!!!!! they are abusers

What about the hardships faced by a whole population which is DENIED a decent public transport service?!!!

By this statement, the bishops have shown us how detached they are from reality.

Adriano Spiteri (on 17/7/08)

I thank the bishops for their concern but in all fairness I believe this is not their business. They'd better take care of their own institutions: JRS and the alike. That's the real threat to the Maltese society they pretend to protect.

david bugeja (on 17/7/08)

its good to learn that the church can be functional and active in attempting to solve such unfortunate events peacefully. much admirable.

steve busuttil (on 17/7/08)

Thank God they spoke out!

What would the public have done without this 'joint statement'?

J.Tonna (on 17/7/08)

Mr. Farrugia it is like the 'with or without jacket' (bil-glekk jew minghajr glekk). If the church speaks some will say 'it shouldn't have spoken', if it does not speak others will say 'it should have spoken'. We have two very intelligent bishops and no one is going to teach them what they should do. JT

mary Pace (on 17/7/08)

Now that the hearse"s went back to work,WHY the buses,minibuses,white taxis are still on strike?? I cannot understand it!!!!

Jennifer Cosaitis (on 17/7/08)

Don't you think that its a little too late, today being the fourth day of the strike? We have had tens of people lying in the morgue for days at Mater Dei, and NOW you're concerned about them being buried with dignity? Thankyou, but No Thankyou

Les Carbonaro (on 17/7/08)

What fair solution? The bus drivers' strike reason (for which read: excuse) is no longer. The hearse service operators have accepted that the days of monopolies are long gone and buried (pun intended). They have even distanced themselves from the so-called federation and the shameful acts that we've witnessed in the past 3 days. Govt. should now legislate the strikers back to work, under penalty of losing their license, as there is no dispute left to strike about, assuming there ever was one to start with.

Franco Farrugia (on 17/7/08)

NOW the Bishops speak, when there was violence in the streets, chaos and mayhem, and the indignity of mourning families prolonging their sadness owing to their beloved departed not being able to be interred! Left in the cold room at Mater Dei. How is that for the dignity of the person?
Bishops, you were very conspicuous by your silence!

Previous article • UPDATED: Five more drivers in court
Next article • Updated: Road quiet, buses parked in terminus, funerals held

Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Bishops call for talks to end transport strike

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