Feasts can bridge diversions (1)

The report Unifying Event Offensive To Some (June 30), might have been aimed at giving readers a different side of a once-in-a-lifetime event but unfortunately it ended up depicting the closing celebrations of the Pauline Year as a mere act of fanaticism; something which to the contrary of the fundamental value of journalism, is not a whole truth.

The reporter made an effort at highlighting some comments of the few who might not have fully embraced the true concept of the celebration of their religion yet.

Truth is that both Valletta and Floriana have been sporting rivals for ages - and this rightly so being two of the most honoured cities in Malta. Nonetheless, I am quite confident in saying that the vast majority of participants in Monday's celebrations were quite aware of the distinct reality they were living - and truly enjoyed it.

Worries arising in this respect were justified only because parishes and organising committees cannot supervise the behaviour of all the participating public. The possibility of having a few who aim at extending trouble on such an event is always there no matter the occasion (remember Ali Atchka shooting Pope Paul John II at the Vatican).

Nonetheless, Monday was an important proof that both cities and Maltese feasts in general can help at breaking divisions rather than creating them. For this achievement, well done to both Floriana and Valletta organising committees.

Were the reporter closer to both parishes and communities, he would have probably been sharper in making a distinction between sarcastic comments based on sporting rivalry and the true heartfelt values that were prominent on the occasion. That would have avoided the creation of this sensational article which tends to shed a negative light on the overall Catholic traditions of our country.

All would have benefited had he highlighted the intense events that were organised within the two parishes during this past year - events that reminded us of the message that St Paul delivered to the first Christian community in our country fronted by a determined Publius. I invite the reporter to read through the commemorative publication published by The Pauline Community of St Paul's Parish in Valletta for full guidance.

Reporting the truth is the job of a good writing or photography journalist.

The comments posted in reply to the online entry of the article are enough proof of the negative vibe that this article projected onto this historical event and onto the general local tradition of feasts.

In this respect, I question whether editors should have been more cautious before publishing such an article.

I hope the reporter can sometime in the near future produce an article about the values behind a festa, the genius craftsmen that are a product of feasts, the psychological effects of feasts on communities and the spiritual values that festas transcend to many through the lives of great figures such as St Paul and St Publius who lived with genuine passion their love for Christ.