Fr Joe Borg
Jesuits and other meddlers
As a symbolic gesture the Archbishop should choose 12 irregular immigrants and wash their feet in the appointed ceremony. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
"They are meddlers and pseudo-politicians." My friend was quite upset. He was talking to me about the Jesuits' repeated stand on illegal migration. It is true that this accusation has been often levelled the Jesuits. Remember The Mission? They paid dearly for their defence of human dignity and for their solidarity with the poor. Remember the Jesuit martyrs in San Salvador?
My friend was not impressed when I told him that I totally agree with their stand. I continued: "And I think that the Archbishop should make a symbolic gesture to show our love for illegal immigrants. He should choose 12 and wash their feet in the appointed ceremony next time. He should also direct parish priests to do the same."
My friend's reply is unprintable in a newspaper accessible to children.
He is a good Catholic, and a member of one of the modern lay movements. He goes to Mass regularly, prays and sings holy hymns in between uttering expletives about the Jesuits and their social apostolate. He has a privatised view of Catholicism. Due to his social background and private wealth, he is more imbibed with the spirit of neo-liberalism than the spirit of the Church's social teaching.
He is one of the many Catholics who knows next to nothing about the Church's social teaching, how it is centred on the dignity of the human person and his/her rights from conception, the defence of the vulnerable, the poor, and the family based on marriage, the principle of solidarity and subsidiarity actuated in politics and economics.
Church social teaching has come a long way since Leo XIII, the father of its modern incarnation. It has evolved and continues to creatively adapt centuries-old principles to the contemporary realities of a pluralistic society.
This social doctrine is not an attempt to build a modern version of Christendom. Nor does it try to herd Catholics into one political party. It throws the light of the Word of God on human experience. It aims to guide Catholics who are active in politics, the economy and trade unions. It enlightens leaders and voters.
It gives them the tools which they should use creatively and intelligently while designing political programmes, economic strategies, and social welfare systems. It enlightens Catholics while voting, working, investing, employing people, being citizens and family members.
It is not a one-size-fits all attitude to reality. It respects the pluralistic manifestations of involvement by Catholics in politics and the economy. But it also reminds Catholics that they should be 24/7 Catholics.
Unfortunately, this is a very well-kept secret. Many Catholics know very little about it.
What about the Jesuits?
They never tire of meddling and they want others to do the same. To further this aim, they are organising a systematic course in the Church's social doctrine in conjunction with the Church's Pastoral Formation Institute. The well-kept secret will be unravelled during this course. If you are interested in discovering the secret, call 2167 7841 or e-mail cfj@jesuit.org.mt.
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Andre` Micallef
Nov 19th 2008, 12:10
The Jesuits' original purpose was to act as the Church's spiritual shock troops during the Counter Reformation to combat the spread of Protestantism in Europe. Gradually, they gravitated towards spreading the Gospel of Christ in far away lands such as the Far East and Latin America. All well and good. But then things started to change. The Jesuits became simply TOO MUCH involved in manipulating and interfering (albeit from behind the scenes) in state affairs in those European countries where they had gained a foothold. Consequently, they were expelled from almost all European countries during the 18th century, Malta itself being no exception as even Grand Master Pinto had to resort to this drastic measure in 1768.
Nowadays, it is an open secret that most Maltese politicians (especially those on the PN side) have had their education in Jesuit-run schools and colleges. The trouble is, where should these politicians draw a line between what is best for Malta's and its' citizens' interests (esp. in the light of the current illegal immigration crisis) and their ingrained Christian morality? Being Maltese citizens first and foremost, I adamantly believe that safeguarding the national interest should be given absolute priority.
Anthony Gatt
Nov 18th 2008, 16:27
@ Fr. Joe Borg
The following statement made in your article is severly flawed:
"He is a good Catholic, and a member of one of the modern lay movements. He goes to Mass regularly, prays and sings holy hymns in between uttering expletives about the Jesuits and their social apostolate. He has a privatised view of Catholicism. Due to his social background and private wealth, he is more imbibed with the spirit of neo-liberalism than the spirit of the Church's social teaching."
1) It is hypocritical to say that he is a good Catholic on the basis of his nominal participation in Church activities, while all the while emphasising his lack of human empathy.
2) Although you are right to place neo-liberalism on the opposite side to Catholicism's socialist models, neo-liberalism (unlike your friend) advocates freedom of movement.
In conclusion: the terms "neo-nazi", "neo-mercantilist", or "economic nationalist" are far more appropriate to describe your friend than the terms "liberal" or "Catholic"!!!!
Michelle Dali
Nov 16th 2008, 21:50
The Jesuits are a religious order whose mission is to help the poor, ill-treated people of this earth. That is a noble and commendable endeavour. Let them help the illegal immigrants who come to Malta, that is their mission after all.
However, the rest of us are not Jesuits and there are laws in every country on this planet. When those laws are being abused systematically by criminals, the Government of that country must react to protect its citizens. The law abiding citizens of this small country, Malta, have rights too. We have the right to live in our country peacefully and to defend ourselves against being overwhelmed and overrun by foreigners who come here illegally, knowingly breaking the law, and who by their large numbers threaten our countries' stability.
Illegal immigrants should not be iltreated in any way, but they MUST be repatriated forthwith, thereby sending a clear message to the criminal gangs and potential illegal immigrants, that Malta will not tolerate abuse either of its laws and its Christian values.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 16th 2008, 19:30
@ Malcolm Seychell - Every religious order has its history.
Malcolm seychell
Nov 16th 2008, 14:27
Fr Borg should have been fair and tell us all the history of the Jesuits not part of it.
B. Cachia
Nov 16th 2008, 13:46
I find it hard to understand why the Church has a political programme at all (for that is what its 'social doctrine' amounts to). The Church is certainly entitled to give clear guidelines to Catholics about their own personal behaviour. But does it make any sense to plunge into politics, which means participating in the process leading to the creation of compulsory laws for all, Catholics or non-Catholics? Would people who have to follow Catholic principles simply becaused forced to by the State thereby become good Catholics?
louise vella
Nov 16th 2008, 11:06
One point in reply to Fr Borg’s sermon.
The Catholic Church is universal. Every person in the world is the same for it. This is also true of some other religions, which know no frontiers.
But a State is defined by its frontiers. Its government’s rights/duties are limited to the area under its jurisdiction. There are exceptions, e.g. EU intervention to stop massacres in Africa. Exceptions are limited, especially for a small country.
States give nationality. Maltese nationals are entitled to live here and enjoy the rights (carry the duties) of Maltese citizenship. These may be extended by law, e.g. to EU countries’ nationals. Every country has the right to decide which foreigners can/cannot live in it. These rights can be limited under strict conditions, e.g. for genuine refugees.
If foreigners are needed and wanted they become legal. Others are illegal, having no right to be in the country and benefit from its laws.
“Jesuits and other meddlers”, promoting illegal immigrants’ interests (because they can have only basic rights) act from the perspective of the Catholic religion. The government’s role is to defend the national interest, i.e. the rights of Maltese citizens, voters and taxpayers.