Silence endangers Church's existence - Gozo bishop
The Church would be "endangering its very existence" if it did not continue to get its message across, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said yesterday.
Mgr Grech said the Church could not remain silent even though factors like apathy and dampened spirits made it more difficult to evangelise.
The bishop stressed that the Church could not afford to be sedentary in the face of these challenges, and it had to move away from church parvis and into the streets and homes to spread the Word.
Addressing priests during the exchange of New Year greetings at the Gozo Seminary yesterday, Mgr Grech set them the challenge to broadcast the Word of God to those seeking answers.
He acknowledged the help of his predecessor, Bishop Nikol Cauchi, who had served as a compass to lead the diocese in past years. However, today he was witnessing signs of fatigue, routine and congestion in several aspects of ecclesiastical life.
Mgr Grech also touched upon the fragmentation of the family, which was experiencing an identity crisis and referred to a record number of 49 cases waiting to start the process of annulment before the Church's Ecclesiastical Tribunal. Apart from these, there were another 34 pending cases.
Since he was concerned that couples were having to wait a long time for their case to be heard, the bishop said another judge and four auditors had been added to the tribunal's staff.
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Ingrid Jones-cameron
Jan 5th 2009, 07:30
The church existance is threatened by the everlasting conception that the church never changes in the face of change. Although most maltese profess to be believers when it comes to their own well being they opt to the modern concept of society ignoring the church stand on many issues such as divorce and abortion. When faced with such a problem they opt to separate or do an abortion because it is the only solution. In 2007 there where 2400 marriages and 1200 separations. That puts malta with the highest divorce ( call it separation if you like) in Europe!!!! So these people are saying go to hell, you don't give us divorce but we divorce anyway and cohabit. It is just playing with phrases.
Marco Ellul
Jan 4th 2009, 20:34
It seems that the Church should put loudspeakers on its facades.
Bishop Grech has been in the news for a good number of days - it seems he likes it.
I don't really think that the Church is remaining silent over anything. Rather, from my point of view, it is trying to outdo any individual voice that dares show its dissent.
And by the way, Mr Cowie must have a vivid imagination, as otherwise, can he tell us who is planning 'the downfall of the Church'?
Every state should be secular.
a attard
Jan 4th 2009, 20:22
Silent? 2 radio staions, parish newsletters through our letter boxes, its own newspaper, priests regualarly on panels on the media and much more ....... how is the church silent exactly?
J. Tonna
Jan 4th 2009, 16:46
Yes, the Church should make its voice heard. It should, for example, use all kinds of media.
Catholics, and not only priests, should write their view on ALL newspapers, sound their voice on all radios and appear on all TV's. That is the way to make ourselves heard, and not just talking in sacristies.
F J Brincat
Jan 4th 2009, 15:28
Strangely enough, I don't see the Church being silent at all. If anything, it is just as vocal as it ever was. It's just that some people just don't agree anymore with everything that the Church says.
Gerry Cowie
Jan 4th 2009, 14:38
Let us pray for all secularists and those who would seek the downfall of the Church!
It is sad that anything that comes from the Church is shunned just because of its origins.
Many laws today are based on christian principles.
However much the world seeks to shut out God, He will not be shut out.
Whether they like it or not, secularists and others still benefit from the love of God, even though they do not believe.
Well done Bishop Grech!
Carmelo Palmier Cecy
Jan 4th 2009, 10:55
Well said, your excellency. All of us Catholics must stand up to be counted and to work actively in the Lord's vineyard. At a time when so many evil influences have reached our dear little island, no true Catholic can afford to remain relaxing in his armchair (spiritually speaking).
Jimmy Magro
Jan 4th 2009, 10:32
I fully agree with Gozo Bishop Mario Grech.
The same applies to our society. Society would be endangering its very existence if it does not commence to get its message across. The masses must be left to express their messages.
We must all speak out against the virus of omerta.
Civil socities rise to the occasion and let us make Malta clean, this time by breaking up the monpoly of those who think that only they can speak about the truth, as if they have a solution for every challenge; against those that see a virgin Malta when Malta is sick with the virus of omerta.