Mgr Joseph Farrugia, Victoria
Respect for Catholic politicians
Ninety-year-old Senator Giulio Andreotti is still alive and kicking, and has shown remarkable resilience in successfully defending his own reputation. He attributed this resilience in part to his Catholic faith.
I believe that he would not have been surprised by Noel Fabri's letter (January 29). With typical irony he stated years ago that "a parte le guerre puniche mi viene attribuito veramente tutto" (everything, apart from the Punic wars, has been pinned on me).
Nobody should malign a person on the basis of allegations. I see no reason why I should doubt Senator Andreotti's honesty as a Catholic and there are several reasons why I should respect it.
The same reasons would win my respect for other politicians.
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Joseph Farrugia
Feb 3rd 2009, 10:29
Thank you, Franco Farrugia. I am happy that you agree with the Catholic perception of a Catholic politician - one who is there to serve all members of the electorate, according to the dictates of his conscience and irrespective of faith or religion. Having said that, you see, it is not the point in this correspondence. The point is whether people should spread slander - as some have done with reference to Giulio Andreotti, citing mere and disproven allegations.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2009, 15:07
@ Joseph Farrugia - And you would do well to remember that politicians are not there to serve Catholics only; they are there to serve all the members of the electorate. Once a politician starts to make distinctions between faiths, that s the end of democracy and the beginning of theocracy!
Joseph Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2009, 13:17
Mr Alan Vella: Unfortunately you are right. At times politicians appear to be formally practicing Cathlics but then give counter witness to the Catholic faith. But this inconsistency is not confined only to politicians.
Joseph Farrugia
Feb 2nd 2009, 13:09
Mr John Mercieca: As you say quite correctly, I wouldn't. I would never dare to question anybody's honesty, especially of those who may disagree with a view that I have have expressed, as in this case.
Alan Vella
Feb 2nd 2009, 10:30
To Mgr Joseph and John,
I don't think you need to disagree on this one - you are probably both right.
Senator Andreotti could well be both a practising, faithful Catholic AND a corrupt politician with ties to the Mafia. This has (and still is) happened many times before over and over again.
Indeed you can believe in Jesus and go to church and still be a dirty rotten scoundrel.
John Mercieca
Feb 2nd 2009, 10:09
@ Mgr Farrugia - 'I see no reason why I should doubt Senator Andreotti's honesty as a Catholic...'
No, YOU wouldn't.