Incidents at St George's Basilica

Nenu Cassar

Aug 25th 2008, 10:17

Mr. M. Azzopardi> It isn't important whether what happened, happened on Thursday and Friday or Saturday or Sunday. What is really important is what really happened on the 14th and 15th August; not only this year but every past year. What should be a feast in honour of Santa Marija is turned around into a ANTI-St. George charade. The Leone Band Club supporters are more eager to insult the saintly figure of St. George rather than the rival band club. The supporters should be called jingoes rather than jumboes - after all, they really promote chauvinistic parochialism.

Besides, can anyone truely compare Castle Hill Street with St. George's Square. No one feels intimidated or insulted with the former, as really, the venue is Independence Square. On the other hand, many people cannot attend mid-day mass at the popular St. George's church on the 15th of August as they have to overcome the gauntlet put up by Leone supporters, precisely around St. George's church.

P.Farrugia

Aug 20th 2008, 18:25

Mr Spielberg has been busy filming St George's morning march

M AZZOPARDI

Aug 20th 2008, 18:02

Mr Nenu Cassar> First of all, Saint Mary falls always on the 15th August and not like other parochial feasts including Saint George. Therefore Santa Marija eve was Thursday and not Saturday while GHID TA' L_ASSUNTA was Friday .
Thursday march passed in front of La Stella from 1145 to 00.25, and ended at about 00.45
Morning march passed through Saint George's Square from 13.00 to 13.30 hours. on Santa Marija Day.
If you heard any insults during morning march, it cames from Saint George's Sagristy and not from the march, because I personally heard blashphemy against Bishop Mario and Mgr. Cardona.
In front of Astra, Leone Band played the following marches; L-Isfida, Ave Maria (when unveiling the holy picture) a part of 1812 and the popular march Letter A. between them, a video clip of about 5 minutes was screened on a big screen.
So why still continue with your lies and exagerations????
If you want to see a dvd of Saint George's morning march in front of Castle Hill (about two whole hours) with all its happenings, give me your address and I will sent it by post.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 20th 2008, 15:55

@ nenu cassar - With all due respect, I care little what you have to say about the matter at this period in time. In my eyes, you are BOTH party to these charades going on in Victoria Gozo and you have to be stopped! When I mean, stopped, I really mean it: suspended! Eradicated from the bosom of your respective clergy, church, parish, whatevernameyoucallit!

Both your band clubs should be closed and bolted! You should have nothing to anymore with your respective parishes. Your parishes should disown you! Literally!

You should both be ashamed of yourselves. This is a country of condradictions: you have so much artistic talent - a small island like Gozo having such patronage in having two theatres of almost international reputation ... and then, you destroy every inch of dignity that you both have by stooping so low as to inflict hatred and negative passion between the two parishes! Shame on you. Shame on each and everyone of you!

nenu cassar

Aug 20th 2008, 14:38

The Leone Band Club thrusts all energies mainly on two band marches: the Saturday night band march and the Sunday morning band march. The palpitating tension starts to build up on Saturday night when the Leone band and supporters, all the time hurling insults, spend literally two hours in front of the La Stella Band Club. During this interminable period, a huge screen is unfurled across Republic Street, just in front of the Astra theatre (and the Bishop’s Curia) so as to keep the supporters anchored in front of the rival band club. One cannot say that this band march is steeped in tradition as its route was changed quite recently, after the Leone Band moved to its present premises.

The La Stella supporters rightly feel provoked with all that happens on Saturday and they feel much more insulted with the vulgar antics that they have to suffer during the Sunday morning march. On the other hand, the Leone committee members know for sure that the success of their feast hinges precisely on these two band marches. In fact, the crowd accompanying the Sunday morning band march is really sparse before it reaches St. George’s square.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 20th 2008, 10:53

@ m. azzopardi - I don't mind if you describe me as a 'comedian of the year'.
However, I hate to contradict you for the umpteenth time, that the title you so nicely bestowed to me goes to others, namely:
to those many other Gozitans who continue playing with churches - 'nilghabu bil-knejjes' - as well as those priests, Monsinjuri and kanonci, who hide their pent-up frustrations of manhood through rich and sacred vestments, titles and privileges, and who also hide within the fabric of their respective lay extensions, the bandclubs Leone and La Stella;
those Bishops who continue to permit and allow these stupid events to take place during the two respective feasts; they have a lot to answer for.
those leaders of bandclubs who should be shrewd and worldly enough to realise how futile it is to continue with these charades.

I don't blame you for holding on to what you think is most dear - and I forgive you for any unhappy thought that you might have in my regard, for daring to shake all that is, after all, your little world. But hey, there is much more to life than a couple of bandclubs' rivalry.

m.azzopardi

Aug 20th 2008, 09:56

I have told once again Mr Farrugia, that you are not-well informed about facts in Gozo. I am 64 years old, and I ALWAYS ATTEND THIS MARCH SINCE i was 5 years old. This march passes through the same route and in those days, it comenced at 10 a.m. and not 11.00 a.m. So if you are not well informed, stop crying wolf.....wolf.....wolf... because you became the COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR where history is concerned.

Adrian Grixti

Aug 20th 2008, 00:44

allow me2 correct u on some facts dear M Zammit.
1) I read several of your contributionS and you didnt give me an answer so yes, I presume you are not in a state to process language, reason well or to judge correctly. Why ? Well the reason is simple: you BELIEVE that going in front of another church with taunts, screams, brass bells, leaflets claiming Saint George never existed cannot be considered as provocation. Now, does this mean you are a person of sound judgement or a fanatic of the leone band?

2) I HAVE NO IDEA where you got this 100 year theory. I beleive the historical facts dictate otherwise. The march started passing from Saint George sometime around the 70's. So please stop kidding us all... really stop.

3) you didn't answer my question: who is going out of his way to find himself in front of the rivals? A wrong practice can never become a good/acceptable one.. even if according to M Zammit it's a hundred year old 'tradition'.

I am a person who likes feasts but I really cannot fathom the pleasure you derive by going in Saint George's square.

Paul Farrugia

Aug 20th 2008, 00:15

This am march this year entailed a heavier influx of policemen from Malta with all the added costs that such a policing exercise entails, besides making the people of Victoria the laughing stock of the Maltese islands . The am band march where ever it is organised in all the villages and towns culminates into a pagan celebration with gangs of youths indulging in debouchery and obscene jestures under the inebriative effects of alcohol. It definitly has no religious connotations.In Gozo the only parish that does not organise this am band march is the village of Ghsielem for the local folks are notorious for their drinking habits, the organisers are afraid to organise this event lest no body turns up for the evening procession . After all the festa should act as a catalyst so that families organise reunions in their homes like on Christmas day and not for indulging in baccanalian activities which all the dire consequences that these entail

Paul Farrugia

Aug 20th 2008, 00:14

May I be allowed to propose that all morning band marches on the day of the feast should be banned in the whole of the Gozo Diocese , Of course, it is within the competence of the bishop to issue such directives as after all it is also within his competence to declare that pjazza San George is out of bounds for the revelers of Santa Marija. People who are not blinded by the blinkers of parish rivalry look up to our spiritual leader for guidance even on such mundane matters with the aspiration that appropriate corrective measures are implimented rather having a yearly repitition of this farce with the active participation of people from both rival groups. remember it takes two to tango!! Beware Dr Caruana Hadd ma hu vergni u martri.It is true that this year because of a strong police presence and the limited time available no obsceen jestures were performed in from of St George's church but a lot of people have been witnesses over the past few years.of these occurences some episodes are even recorded on film. .

George Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 22:55

The ringing of the small bell and other bells during the 'festa' band march did not consitute any provocation for some but for others, especially the president and secretary of the Leone Band Club they constituted something which they did their best to hide. But then it exploded in their face in the front page of the Times on the 16th August 2008. Too bad. They had to make that up with a decleration. That is the story and nothing else. This year it was the riniging of bells. Last year it was the shaking up of Christmas tree fronds (!), the year before it was toilet paper, the one before it was blue paint. There is no end to the provocation and insults, year in year out. When will Dr Caruana and his puppet Mr Apap ever learn? In anno mai I suppose.

apgrech

Aug 19th 2008, 22:35

When you have people from different religions which believe in different gods you can expect to have disagreements.

J.V.G alea

Aug 19th 2008, 21:30

Part 2.
@ Mario Saliba
All is quite good what you said to, but i think the E.T.Bishop Mario Grech will never tell the police such thing. Remember my friend that Mr Caruana & Mr Apap boycotted the bishop and declared him as PERSONA NON GRATA in their premises. and asked their parishioners not to participate in any activity that the bishop or their new archpriest will holding at the cathedral. But now it’s all ok with their new archpriest since he was seen being lifted and waving the leo flag and being part of the bands men (idoqq il-katuba) during ‘il-marc ta’ l-ahhar’.
@ M Azzopardi
I agree with you. You have all the right to go through St George's Sqr. Doing so you consolidate your feast a proper pagan feast. It is just that little cherry on the cake for the whole week.
@ Dr Michael Caruana & Joseph Apap
Please stop issuing press releases of not being involved in that, of boycotting that, of having reached an agreement with that, of declaring that as persona non grata, and so on and son on. Now you have lost all limits of credibility.
Thanks to all guys.

J.V.G alea

Aug 19th 2008, 21:24

Mela with who shall we start ?
@ Mr Franco Farrugia
You were right in nearly all you mentioned, but one can never put everyone in the same basket, cause then narrow minded is he who states so. Mhux hekk?
@FBJ Grech
Mr Caruana stated what his agreements were with the bishop in his Festa Booklet. It was declared that they (leo people) reached an agreement with the E.T. THE BISHOP MARIO GRECH that he (the bishop) will revoke all the St Geoge's Church titles. Good sign from bishop this one. It means that he (bishop) started reaching agreements with band clubs (and what agreements!!!) And to be honest, i noticed something strange ta. In their booklet, this year there was the message from the bishop missing!!!!!!! Could be cause they (leo poeple) refused his message cause he (bishop) did not adhere with their agreement? MAYBE!

G Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 20:40

@J Galea
If u weren't there you can't comment. Many of the opposing supporters who were in St George's last Friday did not consider the ringing of the small bell during the march. In fact they even thought it was hilarious and started laughing. I could say it as I was there near some of the La Stella supporters.

@Mario A Saliba
Your comment clearly shows that you are not a true Leone Supporter. No true 'ta'l-iljun' would suggest anything like that. And btw Bishop Grech does not have jurisdiction over St George's Square or the Santa Marija external festivities which are exclusively organised by the Leone Philharmonic Society. Surely you are not a Leone supporter who at least should know the glorious past of this society and its connection with the Sta Marija Festivities

D. Caruana

Aug 19th 2008, 20:12

@ M. Azzopardi ...

... the 12 persons which were arrested this yr @ hamrun, werent arrested for fighting during the feast ... they were arrested at around 5pm ... long after the marc was finished ... what happened was a fight between 2 rival families who live oppposite eachother !!!

J Brincat

Aug 19th 2008, 20:02

Well done M Azzopardi.... you managed to mention all the happenings and questions which in reality have to be discussed right now and above all the last statement shows the main and only problem and cause of the current situation.... thankyou timesofmalta.com

Franco Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 19:29

@ M Azzopardi - My last word to Mr Farrugia, - TIBQAX TINDAHAL FEJN MHUX POSTOK. end quote.

Well, what do you expect from someone who has no way of countering the sacred truth, as said by a neutral person?
It certainly does not suit people like Azzopardi, and many other Gozitans, who have no life other than that of the few hours of fun they have, hurling insults at the rival club. As if they are not all Gozitans.
Typically, they try to stifle the voice of reason!
And then, we come talking and pontificating about the values that we have, against divorce, against this, that and the other, .... when the truth is that we, or rather, you plural are just a bunch of 'oqbra mbajda'! Schizos!
It certainly is on the cards that the Bishop will have no alternative but to halt all outside and inside festivities. The Bishop would probably also suspend both Chapters. This was done before, and it can certainly happen again.
Away with these stupid titles of churches - santwarji, kolleggjati, kapitli, insinji, ... all this is not going to give us eternal salvation.

M. Zammit

Aug 19th 2008, 18:51

@ Adrian Grixti
You chose to call me a, "100% close minded fanatic of the Leone Band." Judging me 'close minded' and 'fanatic' , after simply reading my contribution shows how much presumptious you are. Besides labelling others as 'tribe' sheds light on who is the real fanatic. However I admit and have nothing to be ashmed of being a Leone Band supporter.
Regarding your question of ,"who is going out of his way to find himself in front of the rivals, " I already said in my contribution that the route is more than 100 years old. I repeat, all these arguments about this march only started some ten years ago and I also explained why. Before venom started to be shed it was a common sight to see supporters of both bands drinking together in the mentioned square !

@ Franco Farrugia.

Regarding your comment," jekk ta' Sta. Maria..........dritt li jsemmghu l-qniepen taghhom," I simply refer you to the guidlines issued by the Gozo Curia regarding the times and days of when the bells of a church are supposed to be rung.
So please take M. Azzopardi's advice, "TIBQAX TINDAHAL FEJN MHUX POSTOK. "

J Galea

Aug 19th 2008, 18:24

Dear M Azzopardi, what was the young gentleman who graced last Saturday's Times front page doing with the bell in his hand? Well done to the Times for capturing the moment! Wasn’t it sheer provocation? All other things you said are superfluous

M Azzpardi

Aug 19th 2008, 18:04

Those who persists that provocations are coming because of the route of this march are all INCORRECT.
Police can testify that NO INCIDENT or NO INSULTS were common in this march.
The trouble begins in St GEORGE'S BASILICA on the 14th August since some die hard supporters tried to oppose the direction given to them by the Bishop of Gozo and Mgr. Cardona.
On the other hand LEONE BAND Committee was serious enough to obey all the orders given to them by the Police including the time the march had to stay at St George's Square.
Another point, It's not true that this march is creating provocation since in the same square one could see various St George's Basilica Supporters, drinking friendly with LEONE BAND CLUB Supporters and no brawl cropped up as happened this year in Hamrun where twelve persons were arrested. So It;s not only the Gozitans who are red-headed, even the Maltese.
The valid question which every Gozitan is presently asking; IS MGR.CARDONA STILL THE ARCHPRIEST OF ST. GEORGE'S
My last word to Mr Farrugia, - TIBQAX TINDAHAL FEJN MHUX POSTOK.

Mario A Saliba

Aug 19th 2008, 18:03

I am a Leone supporter from Vicotria and on numerous occasions I have approached members of the committee urging them that it is in our interest to re route the march because there is no excuse to justify its route.... Public opinion is against this march, as confirmed by this blog. I suggest that we have the moral victory and take this decision before it would be late, because I trust that given the sequence of events every year, Bishop Mario will direct the police authorities to ban it once and for ever. Come on lets face it!!

FJB Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 17:57

Part 2
It would be interesting to remind the reader that last September we heard the Bishop of Gozo boasting that he had caught the bull by the horns and that was the end of a long era of parochialism. Parochialism would not be resolved by removing Archpriests without consultation. A year ago, Bishop Grech appointed two “neutral” Archpriests for Victoria. Did they stop parochialism or is it worse than ever before? To what extent did Bishop Grech succeed? In addition to this fiasco, recently we read of the assault on a Cathedral Monsignor at St. George’s Basilica on St. George’s eve! So much for taking the bull by the horns! This is the problem with bulls ... sometimes they turn back and one can only run!

FJB Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 17:55

Part 1
Needless to say, Mr Apap, always comes up with something enlightening. It would be interesting for us to know the contents of the agreement with Bishop Grech of 2nd November as rightly indicated by Mr Apap. So far the Cathedral parishioners and the Leone supporters are unaware of its contents. Lately, we heard from the horse’s mouth, that at the beginning of one of the band rehearsals in preparation for the feast of Santa Maria, the President of the Leone informed “il-Bandisti tal-Ljun” that the Bishop did not honour the agreement which they reached during the extraordinary meeting with His Lordship and in the presence of the new Archpriest on Monday 29th October 2007. It would be pointless to keep referring to alleged agreements without revealing their contents!

G Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 17:24

All these comments about the constitutional right for the morning Sta Marija march to pass through St George's Square are all out of question as the issue of the declaration of the Leone President and Secretary is about erroneous reporting by The Times.

BTW some news that nobody knows is that the Leone committee were in full cooperation with police authorities as they were warned that if there was any provocation or insult the march would be disbanded there and then. This did not happen as everybody knows even evidenced by Police footage who were filming the proceedings from at least two angles. So anybody here saying that there were insults going on surely shows that he is completely wrong and doesn't know the situation.

E.P. Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 15:30

Front page of The Times of the 16th August.....the picture says it all. Who is it who is provoking?
When the Leone Society bought its present premises in Republic Street in 1971, the march which is organised on the eve of St Mary's fest was re-routed so that it starts in fornt of the Leone Club.
So I ask myself, if they changed the route of the march in that case, why don't they change the route of their morning march as well, knowing that the present situation is only giving a bad name to the Leone society?

Alexander Morana

Aug 19th 2008, 14:49

@ B. Aguis, And so life goes on! Is this how the Maltese and Gozitans pass the time? Funny or sad?


Welcome to the islands of the Gahan.

M.Gatt

Aug 19th 2008, 14:46

@ Franco Farrugia

I read with interest your contribution, but was utterly disgusted by your comment, " are not narrow minded as Gozitans ARE KNOWN TO BE." I therefore think it is very oppurtune to remind you in the saying you and your fellow Maltese like to tease us ozitans with ..."Ghawdxi tajjeb aharqu ahseb ara wiehed hazin." Mr. Farrugia, I think this saying says enough to show who has the better IQ and how much you admit to be inferior to us.

Adrian Grixti

Aug 19th 2008, 14:22

M. Zammit now I'm realy wondering whether you are actually a 100% close minded fanatic of the Leone Band when you constantly persist in saying that the provocateurs or trouble makers are those who react to when your tribe goes in front of another church, belonging to a rival parish and scream taunts and insults and what's not. Again, answer this question, who is going out of his way to find himself in front of the rivals? Therefore, who is being provoked? Reflect. I'm sure you'll arrive to a sensible answer. Hope to hear from you soon :)

Manny Parnis

Aug 19th 2008, 14:16

Reading these comments reminded me of Northern Ireland where protestants (orangemen) insist on marching through catholic areas to celebrate a battle that took place some 700 years ago.We all know the consequences of that tradition. This particular tradition of marching in Gozo entitles groups of catholics to hurl abuse at each other in the most unchristian of ways. Maybe Tony Blair can arbitrate a compromise after he sorts out the middle east.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 13:37

I am going to write in Maltese so that perhaps I will be understood better:

1. Jien newtrali, kuntrarju ghal haddiehor li jikteb hawnhekk;
2. Ma nhaltux il-hass ma' ... xi haga ohra - altru l-pjazza ta' san gorg, li hija pjuttost maghluqa u ma taghti ghal imkien; u altru Triq ir-Republika, li hija Triq importanti u miftuha!!!!
3. Il-fatt hu li Ta' Sta Marija jghaddu mill-pjazza biex jitghajru, u nismaghhom jien stess jghidu li jekk ma jghaddux minn hemm, ma jkollhomx festa - jigifieri, ma jkollhomx skop ghal tghajjir;
4. Ta' San Gorg jiddeciedu li jdoqqu l-qniepen biex l-insulti ta' waqt il-marc ma jinstemghux;
4. Pero, ta' Sta Marija ma jridux li l-insulti ma jinstemghux, allura joggezzjonaw li jindaqqu l-qniepen.

Fl-opinjoni tieghi, jekk ta' Sta Marija jkomplu jinsistu li ghandhom dritt li jghaddu mill-Pjazza, allura, ta' San Gorg ghandhom id-dritt li jsemmghu il-qniepen taghhom!!!!!!!!

Ghaliex l-Isqof, fil-purcissjoni, ghandu jkollu l-pulizija mieghu????????????? Dan sinjal li l-festi fir-Rabat Ghawdex huma 'smooth'?????

Alfred Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 13:34

A short time ago, I visited Malaysia. There you'd find Christian churches, Mosques and Temples next to each other. While there, I attended a Buddhist celebration which was very colorful and it was fun to watch the dragons and other characters.

They passed in front of Muslim Mosques and Christian Churches and there was no trouble at all in fact, in Malaysia, everyone joins each other in celebrations - Buddhists and Muslims join Christian families to celebrate Christmas and Easter and Christians and Muslims join Buddhists in their festivities and they all celebrate Muslim festivities.

It is so beautiful to see such attitude which indicates maturity. Many of us still have ignorance running in our bloodstream. I like my birthday celebration but I also enjoy the birthday celebration of my friends. I love my feast but also enjoy others' feasts.

We find immaturity in many parishes around our country. It's about time we all grow up. I'd find it logical if the "other" band from the village participates in the feasts of the other parish of the village. When are we going to change in this country?

We will ALL gain and the feasts will be much nicer.

Ghita Debattista

Aug 19th 2008, 13:31

DEAR ALL LOVERS OF THE FEAST OF ST MARY, I suppose you all call yourselves Christians, guess you are all baptised too. So, does all this bickering make you true to your Faith? Do these actions demonstrate how much you all love SANTA MARIJA? How many of you are so devoted to MARIJA's prayer, the Rosary? Don't mean to pint fingers at anyone, cause I'm a sinner like all of you, but these feasts both in Malta and Gozo, show only fanatism and idolatry, all in the name of tradition. Holy Mary do have Mercy. They do love You infact.....do they?

George Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 13:31

If you do not believe in miracles you have just witnessed one. A metamorphosis has occured and Apap and Caruana in eleven months have changed their feathers from ones who have shouted diatribe at their bishop to doves of peace. The provocation which they tried so hard to hide exploded in their face with a front page photograph in the Times on the 16th August, hence this decleration. It is about time the authorities decide to reroute this band march once and for all.

Anthony Bugeja

Aug 19th 2008, 13:21

Am I understanding correctly that the Leone Band Marches go into St. George's Square ? Sick !!

M. Zammit

Aug 19th 2008, 12:53

@ Mr. Franco Farrugia...
Part 2
There is no need for any new routes and above all no need for H.E the Bishop to suspend the Victoria feasts. (Should in Malta do the same, as in particular Malta villages and towns the situation is much more hotter?) What is really needed is like what was done this year...:
1. Effective precautions and control by the authorities to control the trouble makers.
2. Effective co-ordination between the authorites, both civil and ecclesiastical, and the organisers of the feasta.
3.More tollerance from those who are not tal-festa by admitting that when their turn comes others have a right to celebrate theirs.
So please stop this crusade of yours!!!

M. Zammit

Aug 19th 2008, 12:45

@ Mr. Franco Farrugia...
Part 1
Before you continue to be presumptous and continue to write about this matter, kindly be informed that:
1. The band march in question is more than 100 years old. This argument of re-routing this band march only started about ten years ago when a particular character came on to the scene and vowed to begin a crusade against this march and others that pass from in front of the La Stella Band Club in Republic Street. So one asks, should tradition be stopped in order to make this particular chap happy?
2. Yes there are other three marches that pass from in front of the premises of Leone's band rivals. And this spot is much hotter, since several serious incidents occured there, in particular like when hundreds of bottles were thrown towards the band and when last year ammonia was released among the Leone supporters . Using the same argument, Mr. Farrugia, should therefore these marches be also re-routed? If yes, then what? Should the Leone society go and celebrate their feast on the outskirts of Victoria? In am sure your agree that this will be a pathetic solution...... continued

Alfred Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 12:09

Dear Franco, I respect a lot of what you post in these blogs but I have to disagree with your statement that the Gozitans are narrow minded.

When it comes to fanaticism where feasts are involved, narrow mindedness exists in both Malta and Gozo. It even exists within the Maltese living abroad. It's a tumour that hopefully one day we'll be able to be cured of.

Alfred Grech

Aug 19th 2008, 12:04

Hope you excuse me by using this relevant subject to kindly invite all our friends in Victoria, ta' li Stilla and ta' l-Iljun, to please have a look at this write up I just sent to Gozo News.

http://gozonews.com/letters/malta-and-gozos-beautiful-feasts-alfred-grech/

Please read it and consider what I have stated. Both sides need to make some changes.

B Agius

Aug 19th 2008, 11:20

And so life goes on! Is this how the Maltese and Gozitans pass the time? Funny or sad?

Jason Azzopardi

Aug 19th 2008, 11:18

Franco Azzopardi said that Gozitans are narrow minded. Wow. What a relevation. Aren't Maltese close-minded and narrow minded as well. While on this topic, I think some of these people in Victoria should grow-up. A feast is a religious celebration and nothing more. Victoria, as well as Gozo is too small for this piki. Again, it's just a few people, we all know that, but they do a lot of damage to the Gozitan community.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 11:14

Part 2

What is the sense in all this? Do you honestly think that the link between bandclub and 'parish' is a healthy one?????? Don't you think that this link should be severed once and for all, in the interest of the Diocese?

Michael, where do you think the Diocese is going, if your band club and your rival club continue with this farce?
Don't you think, honestly, that time is up for these silly, stupid and disgusting rivalries?

Don't you think that it's time that the Bishop started taking this problem seriously and should go as far as to even suspend all activities in Victoria Gozo?

I know I will be receiving a spate of comments by many, but I will only except a proper answer if it is sent by Michael Caruana who I have always known to be a jovial and extremely helpful person (many years ago, you helped me endlessly with a problem I had with my old car! Never forgotten. :-) )

Franco Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 11:09

Open letter to Michael Caruana -
Dear Michael,
I know you as a sensible person. I am not Gozitan, and probably you have forgotten me and would only remember me by sight. Since I am not Gozitan, permit me to say a few words as coming from a completely neutral person!

1. For your band club to insist that it marches through St George's Square is tantamount to provocation. You know it, and I know it. Since there is no maturity among ALL the supporters, wouldn't it be a great idea to give up going in there?
2. As far as I know, the bells of St George's Basilica ring in order to quieten down the scandalising 'hymns' and 'tghajjirt' coming from your marches. Obviously, you object to this ringing. But if you continue insisting on entering the Square, then, the Basilica has the right to ring its bells!
3. If you are really confident in the ecclesiastical authorities; if you are not narrow-minded as Gozitans are known to be, then, what is the sense in switching off lights when YOUR BISHOP passes by your club in procession? .... contd.