Church gives reprieve to morning band marches

Christian Sciberras

Oct 12th 2009, 09:05

@Keziah Ellul - Sure what you claim makes certain sence, however doesn't this increase petty bickering between different villages (feasts)?

Christopher Grech

Oct 10th 2009, 18:02

@ Stephen Peters

Jesus Christ would find the feasts most offensive, as they go against all that he stood for.

Read the second Commandment again (not that thought by the catechism classes) but that of the books of Exodus or Deuternomy, and yes even in the Catholic Bible the 2nd Commandment is written correctly!!

Therefore if one breaks the Commandment, by falsely adoring idols, and yes they are idols, they are breaking all that Christ stood for!

keziah ellul

Oct 10th 2009, 16:07

Ippermettuli nkompli u nsemmi l-punti li ghalija huma bla sens-
1)HRUG MINN NICCA-Tahsbu li huwa sew li dan jinqata? Ahna l-Fgura issir celbrazzjoni marjana fuq iz-zuntier bis-sehem tal-banda li ddoqq innijiet marjani BISS, talb, qari ta' poeziji u sdiskors mill-kappillan. Sew li din it-tradizzjoni tinqata?
2)STATWI WAQT IL-PURCISSJONIJIET-X fiha hazin li l-istatwa ddur wicca lejn il-kazin tal-banda? Ahna ngibu kantant ta' kull sena li jkanta l-ave maria u l-innu. allura din it-tradizzjoni triduha tinqata' ukoll? Jew nkella nimlew il-gallariji tal-kazin bl-anzjani hux, taparsi dar tal-anzjani.
3)XEJN ARMAR TAL-BRIJJU U SORPRIZI-Nistaqsi x ser ikunb l-ghan tal-kumitati taz-zghazagh fil-kazini? Kemm jonfhu 4 bzizaq biss? U larmar tal-brijju li ga jezisti? Naharquh jew?

Dawn huma biss affarijiet zghar li zgur ser inaqsu l-festi taghna.

GHALXEJN NAQQASTU L-HINIJIET TAL-OMELIJI U L-PANEGIERKI GHAX BLI GHAMILTU MA TUNIEX KURAGG NIGU L-KNISJA

keziah ellul

Oct 10th 2009, 15:57

Tahsbu li dawn l-ispeci ta' regolamenti huma tajbin jew? Biex tohorgu dawn zgur li m intomx profesjonali. L-ewwel haga li tidu taraw hija l-istorja u t-tradizzjonijiet ta' kull belt u rahal, ghax l-ebda rahal mhu bhal iehor. Ha niehu ezempju fuq il-lokal li gej minnu jien. il-Fgura.
Il-Fgura il-festa hija wahda illi ghadha fil-bidu taghha. Kull ma ilu parrocca 44 sena li mhumiex hafna. Barraminnhek ghal zmien twil mhux hazin ma setghax isir gbir ghal festa minhabba l-fatt li kien qed isir il-bini tal-knisja parrokkjali allura l-festa bilfors riedet tibqa' limitata. Biss dan l-ahhar 15 jew 20 sena din il-festa qed tizviluppa u mhux bi ftahir imma nahseb hija wahda mill-aktar festi li kibru fi ftit ta' snin. Allura ahna m ghadniex dritt li jkollna daqs l-antiki u l-kbar? Issa x ser jigri miz-zghazagh li jahdmu ghall-festa? Jintefghu jittaqbu jew? Ahjar qabel hrigtu dan kollhu analizzajtu festa festa dwar x hemm hazin fija ghax ovvja dan irid jitnehha

stephen Peters

Oct 9th 2009, 22:15

I know that as a non-Maltese, my opinions will be considered as less valid, but this Church Document appals me.
Why this need to control?
Such a need to control often reflects fear of being out of control.
If the Curia really wants to alienate people and empty the Churches it should pursue these policies rigorously.
I find it terribly sad that the one week of the year when most communities really come to life and celebrate their community are now being put under such a negative light.
The Curia needs to lighten up and embrace celebration. The Jesus I know would love the joie de vivre of the feasts.

Buhagiar M

Oct 9th 2009, 19:20

@Jos. Abela

Certi aspetti ta festi Ghawdxin gew ikkundanati mill-kurja Maltija. Xi 3 snin ilu kont ix-Xewkija u ma nghidlekx kif haslu lil kulhadd bl-ilma. Kull erba kantunieri bowser ilma, u xi erba bramel minn fuq il-bjut ukoll. Din is-sena kont San Gorg Ghawdex u kien hemm l-Isqof Mario Grech li xi nies lanqas urewh rispett ta' xejn bil-kliem li qalu dan kollu ghax l-isqof hu tal-katidral u allura hemm naqra pika. U ma ninsewx ukoll meta l-isqof iddecieda li jibdel xi kappillani f'Ghawdex kif agixxew xi kazini. Nahseb li hadd ma jista jghid li jista jghallem lil haddiehor u jidher xi qaddis izjed mill-qaddis li niccelebraw fil-festi.

Christopher Grech

Oct 9th 2009, 16:31

@ Mario Spiteri

My apologies for the previous blog, as it was supposed to be addressed to you, and not Matthew Spiteri.

To understand further what I meant, it is important what is meant by idols.
Please read my letter to the archbishop here:

http://100777.com/node/1931

Some further clarifications on the Commandments, and how they were changed:

http://100777.com/node/1294

Peace be upon you.

Christopher Grech

Oct 9th 2009, 11:48

@ Matthew Spiteri

I do not go to Mass, and neither of course to feasts.

Feast statutes are idols, yes.

Matthew:
5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least COMMANDments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 9th 2009, 10:20

@S.Seychell - I work with computers, as a software developer. As such, I very much like being well informed, while at it correcting (when possible) mistakes. Is that a problem?

@C.Busuttil - A teenage student like any other. One does not need to be a doctor to diagnose symptoms of cancer.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

D. Galea

Oct 9th 2009, 08:50

Ma hijiexil-Knisja li tagħmel il-liġijiet imma dment li l-Knisja hija l-awtorita' li torganizza l-festi ghandha kull dritt li tiddeċiedi x'għandu jsir u ma jsirx.

Joe Fenech

Oct 8th 2009, 20:09

As much as I hate festas, it is not for the church to make the law! The middle ages are long gone!!!!!

jscerri

Oct 7th 2009, 21:29

A step in the right direction...in my opinion ALL feast activities must be confined indoors and with the doors shut. This must apply to all religions.

S.Seychell

Oct 7th 2009, 21:06

@ Christian Sciberras
Hawn min jhobb jghaddi l-hin jizbogh xi statwa u hawn min jghaddi l-hin fuq l-internett jaqra l-kummenti tal-ohrajn u jikkumenta fuqhom. Ma nafx liema hu l-aktar 'healthier lifestyle'

Mario Spiteri

Oct 7th 2009, 19:52

@Christopher Grech

If you see statues as idols its your fault, nobody considers those statues as idols. According to you, the current Pope is pagan because in Lourdes he prayed infront the statue of Our Lady or on the 8th December he places flowers at the foot of a statue of Our Lady in Rome. What about the late John Paul II he took part in Fatima in the procession with the statue of Our Lady, further he placed in the crown of our Lady the bullet which nearly killed him during the attempt on his life. Was he a pagan?
By the way who gave you the authority to decide what the Lord thinks, you are not him and he knows very well with what kind of feeling each and everyone of us celebrate our feast.
If we are not genuine in our approach he knows it for sure, but its the Lord who will judge and not you. You have no right to judge others and by doing so you are going against his teachings.
PS- Do you attend to the religious celebrations that are held inside the church during the feast? No excuses whatsoever pls

R Axisa

Oct 7th 2009, 19:25

"The decorations may not carry symbols or in any way be used to fuel pique where main and secondary feasts are held. For the titular feasts, decorations have to be put up by noon on the first day of the tridum. For secondary feasts, decorations can be set up by noon on the eve of the feast."
F'dan il-paragrafu il-knisja stess qeghda tikkontradixxi lilha nfisha fl-istess hin. Mela ma tridx li l-armar tal-knisja johloq pika, imbaghad tkun hi stess li l-armar ghall-festa titulari jintrama fl-ewwel gurnata tat-tridu u tas-sekondarja jintrama lejliet il-festa. Jekk mhux diskriminazzjoni, ma nafx x'tista' ssejhilha! Il-piki, f'certi kazijiet inholqu mill-knisja stess. Ghalfejn ghandu jkun hemm distinzjoni meta tintrama l-knisja skond il-festa? Il-knisja l-ewwel trid tirranga l-affarijiet hi, sakemm jibqghu dawn id-diskriminazzjonijiet, ma tistax tippretendi li jispiccaw il-piki. Il-knisja immissha tara li l-purcissjoni f'nhar il-festa tkun mezz ta' ghaqda tat-talb, per ezempju jinghad ir-ruzarju matul il-purcissjoni, b'sistema ta' microphones matul it-triq. Naf postijiet fejn din issir, imbaghad tara purcissjonijiet ohra fejn lanqas biss tara ruh wara l-purcissjoni, l-ebda sens ta' purcissjoni! Skond dan l-artiklu, ma jissemma xejn dwar it-talb waqt il-purcissjoni!

Luigi W. Tanti

Oct 7th 2009, 18:39

@ x'inhu sewwa - jiena ma hiniex dilettant tal-festi assolutament xejn. Pero' irrid nghid li l-festi kif niccelebrawhom ahna jiddistingwuna. Meta xi habib tieghi barrani jigi ghal vaganza f'Malta niehdu ghal xi jumejn f'dawk il-postijiet fejn tkun qeghda tigi iccelebrata festa, u inhoss li hija xi haga li taffaxxina. Nahseb li bir-rieda tajba ta' kullhadd il-festi taghna ghandhom jibqghu partikulari, iccelebrati b'mod li wiehed jiehu gost u fuq kollox b'mod nisrani. Minhabba ftit nies, imferrxin bejn Malta u Ghawdex ma nhossx li ghandna naghmlu xi tibdil drastiku li jeffettwa lil min jaf jiehu pjacir kif suppost. Viva l-Festa MALTIJA !

Bjorn Callus

Oct 7th 2009, 17:08

@D.Delicata - Skuzani habib pero' ma naqbilx mieghek. il-fatt li l-istatwa tittella' quddiem il-kazin oppost ma jfissirx li qed toffendi lil hadd. statwa ta' qaddis tellajt u mhux ghamilt xi karru jew imrewha u tfajtu qudiemhom festa shieha! barra minn hekk cert li lanqas huma ma jarawha bhala provokazzjoni!

rigward it tul tal-Festa - Nerga' nghidlek ma tistax tqabbel il-festa taghna mal-ohrajn ghax ahna niccelebraw NOVENA. ghalhekk san lawrenz johrog min-nicca on the 31st of July. jekk tghodd il-granet ta' Festi Esterni jigu daqs festa li ddum minn Monday sa Sunday. Dan ghaliex marcijiet ikun hemm fil 31 ta Lulju, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 u 11 Aug - 7 days. bil-mod kif qed tipproponi inti titfa' lil kulhadd f''keffa wahda u ma taghmilx differenza bejn Tridu u Novena, li m'huwiex il-kaz. Haz-Zabbar u fejn jiccelebraw il-Vitorja x'jaghmlu allura? jinsew in-Novena?

Rigward tal-Ghada tal-Festa - Malta kollha kellha ic-cans li taghmlu dan il-marc qabel 1995. pero' kien hemm min bdieh u ma komplihx. li kieku baqghu jaghmluh illum ghandhom il-marc tal-ghada tal-festa bhalna. ma nahsibx li minnhabba nuqqas ta' haddiehor ghandna inbatu ahna hux.

Fl-ahhar nett nirringrazzjak tal-kummenti sbieh li ghaddjet fuq l-armar taghna.

Simon Farrugia

Oct 7th 2009, 17:04

@ D. Delicata

Jiddispjacini li inti qed tara certu affarijiet biss. Donnok li ta' San Lawrenz biss idejquk l-affarijiet. Li titla Statwa quddiem Kazin iehor ma nara li fiha xejn hazin jien dment li l-affarjiet isiru b'mod civili bhalma jsiru f'San Lawrenz. Nassigurak u suppost taf ghax ghedt li tkun hemm li l-marci li jsiru l-Birgu jkunu civilizzati u organizzati hafna ghax f'San Lawrenz u niddubita hix l-unika festa f'Malta mal-briju minkejja li kotra kbira jkun hemm l-Arcipriet u qassis iehor jikkontrollaw lil partitarji u jindaqqu marci tal-kant imma certu marci li fihom certu kliem li jista joffendi ma jindaqqux jew jindaqqu f'postijiet li mhux fil-konfini tal-partit oppost. F'dawn l-ahhar snin il-Birgu ghamilna avvanzi kbar. Fil-processjoni konna minn tal-ewwel qabel id-dokument tal-Kurja tal-1995 li bdejna ndoqqu innijiet biss, nies zaqqhom barra fil-marc ma tarax. Fuq sokor u affarijiet ohra ma naqbilx mad-dokument ghax in-nies jiskru kull tmiem il-gimgha min irid jisker mhemmx ghalfejn tigi l-festa. Dwar il-granet jekk tghodd 31 Lulju, u mis-6 sa 11 t'Awwissu jekk jien tghallimt sew il-matematika jaghmlu 7 t'ijiem, Bejn 1 u 5 ma jsir xejn hlief xi riceviment intern.

Charlene Farla

Oct 7th 2009, 16:59

Ghandna haga li taghmilna unika ha nnehuha! Issa jigu t-turisti! Jekk ma ntuhomx xi haga differenti minn pajizhom xjigu jaghmlu fuq din il bicca art??
U xi nghidu ghan nies li lfesti huma lunika skop ta hajjithom??
Jghaddu gurnata wara gurnata jistennew is sena ta wara biex juru xinhuma kapaci jaghmlu- min fin nar li nghid prosit lil min jahdem in nar u nammirhom hafna ax dak li jamel il festa! U xi nghidu ghal min jistinka sena shiha biex jaghmlu l-armar isbah u ghas sorprizi! xi nriduhom iz-zghazagh? Imorru jintefghu fin night clubs minflok juru xjafu?
Dan min johloq il glied fil festi mux ghax ihobb il festa! Hafna drabi qas biss ikun tal kazin imma jihu l-opportunita biex jizvoga ax ikollu al xi hadd!
U l-gonzi taf xi nghidlu - zomm sod ghax il kummerc qieghed sew u bla festi jigi ottu! il kazini zgur mhux ha joqghodu jarmghulek lirhula ghal 3 ijiem u qas biss igawdu lfesti ghax hekk trid il kurja!!
u min ma jhobbx lil malta- qedin fl eu tistghu titilqu!! halluna nghixu!

Christopher Grech

Oct 7th 2009, 16:07

@ George D'Amato

I do not like these festas because they break the Commandments, and very bluntly! It is far worse than nudity or drunkenness.

Breaking the Commandments is indeed a pagan thing to do. I am sure that Christ would 100% hate these feasts, as they break all that he stands for.

Maltese feasts are mainly pagan rites. You can love them, but they go against almost everything that Christ stands for.

Do you see the idols that are carried from the Church to and fro please?

C.Busuttil

Oct 7th 2009, 15:17

cont...
Band clubs are more organized than the local football premier league clubs and that's says enough about their popularity. Besides the amount of money our local feasts generate is also a boast to the economy, On average taking all band clubs in consideration they spend around 125000 euro's each every year. Surprisingly this money is collected through fundraising activities and from all sorts of ideas they come forward with, to reach their targets.

Feasts are part of our culture package even for tourists, the great majority of tourists enjoy them, No wonder special tours are organized every evening by operators during summer. The problem is that up till now the MTA has not exploited the potential of these activities. Most tourist are surprised when they learn that these activities are free of charge!!!!
Otherwise Do you really believe that they come here for the sun as if we maltese have some sort of exclusivity. Or do you consider tourists those unruly and vulgar students that roam through Paceville in summer. Malta has nothing to offer that other countries do not have, we have only our culture which is unique and through the work of volunteers has been kept alive.

C.Busuttil

Oct 7th 2009, 15:16

@Christian Sciberras

This document has many good points, however no distinction whatsoever has been done between problematic feasts (that is a handful) and the rest. The great majority of the local festas are held in a very decent manner. However the document states that if no improvement is done in the next 3 years, the morning march is banned for everyone. Probably you don't mind, but is this justice ? just because of the same 4/5 feasts, the rest will also get the punishment.
Through our feasts I learned about thegreat artistic talents these islands produce, as they give the opportunity to appreciate the works of best artists such as Chev.Paul Camilleri Cauchi, Karlo Darmanin, Vincenzo Cremona, Michael, Alfred, Adonai & Aaron Camilleri Cauchi, Salvu Bugeja and Silvio Pace just to mention a few. Do you know who are they or ever saw their works?

You state that your lifestyle is much healthier ? Who are thou to judge others? Thanks to these feasts many youths have learned about the arts of sculpture either in wood or plaster, gilding, carpentry etc etc and not to earn a living out of this but because being involved makes you develop various interests.

Joe Borg

Oct 7th 2009, 14:56

@ G. Mallia
Skuzani pero zgur li ma tafx x'int tghid ta! Fl-irhula u bliet biss fejn hemm 2 festi jew aktar li hemm il-pika? Possibli ma tafx li l-pika qeghda anke fejn hemm festa wahda b'zewg kazini u sahansitra fejn hemm biss kazin wiehed xorta hemm il-pika? Il-Knisja zgur taf ahjar x'ghandha taghmel biex tnaqqas il-pika imma donna qed timxi "two ways two measures" fil-parti l-kbira tal-kazijiet. Dak proponut f'dan id-dokument zgur ser ikompli jkabbar il-pika u jzied aktar ir-rebelazjoni kontra l-Kurja! Issa taraw: iz-zmien itieghna parir! Jalla min hu fit-tregija tal-Knisja jiftah ghajnejh u ma jaghmilx zbalji kbar li jkollom riperkusjonijiet serji ghal generazjoni futura! Ejja nhallu s-sens komun imexxina u mhux l-ghebbusija tar-ras!

George D'Amato

Oct 7th 2009, 14:15

I ask Festa haters, many of you use our vilages for your daily needs or pass through them to reach your destinations and so be it but why do you think you can be grudge us one week a year to suit yourselves and your whims, be they parking, or hearinr our church bells peeling?
I appeal to all festa followers to post their comments in a proper way the address provided by the Curia. If this is indeed a consultative document I feel sure that all comments will be taken into consideration. After this let all sit down around a table and discuss in a civil, reasonable and dispassionate way how to clean and improve our festa. We will be then able to stop all festa haters frotthing at the mouth and spewing vindicative comments on us festa lovers who are considered by them as stupid second rate citizens with a verdun taht idejna. If to-day everyone clamours for the rights of the minorities and rightly so, we who are surely in the majority have also our rights.

G. Mallia

Oct 7th 2009, 14:10

Not before the church decides to celebrate only the feast of the patron saint will it curb this pique . In villages where only one feast is celebrated there is no such problem.

George D'Amato

Oct 7th 2009, 14:03

Let me state without mincing any words that I love our Festa. I love our churches adorned for the occasion and our villages brilliantly decorated for their special week. i love the melodious playing of ou marches and the great spectacle of the colouful fire works. I like the bells pealing and the people with a smile on their faces in the evening of the festa day. But in a more ardent way I hate all sorts of exagerations. Be it the size and quantity of the era splitting petards or the innumerable kiosks selling all sorts of junk food and other parafarnelia which has nothing to do with the festa. Or the comparing a few young boys who take off their t-shirt of which I do not approve to pagan nudity. Is this more serious than our 13 year old girls strutting their wares in most provocative attire at our entertainment mecca. And why is every little incident in our festas given so much prominence when hatred is fomented every day on all our political media? And why are festa haters always blaming the church when most of them do not care much about the same church?

Antoine Farrugia

Oct 7th 2009, 14:02

Naqbel sew mas-Sur Williams. Nixtieq nigbed l-attenzjoni ta' min qieghed jirrispondi lis-Sur Antoine Farrugia li jien; Antoine Farrugia tal-Belt u li ghandi ghal qalbi hafna l-festa ta' San Pawl ghadni ma kkummentatjtx dwar id-dokument. U jekk nikkummenta ibqghu certi li mhux ha nkun pruzuntuz u nsemmi festi ohra li jien m'ghandi x'naqsam xejn maghhom.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 7th 2009, 12:58

@Chris Grillo - What do we attribute the feasts to? A Church saint (I hope!) as such, who's reponsability is it to moderate feasts? The band club's barmen? The local police?

That would hardly make sense.

It would be simply impossible and irresponsible of the Church not to restrain exagerations in feasts.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

S. pulis

Oct 7th 2009, 12:49

Mr Ch Vella
Haz-zabbar festa wahda ghandu!

Christopher Grech

Oct 7th 2009, 11:26

If the Church does what Christ says, and does, there would not be any breaking of Commandments. Going around with idols on the streets are simply not doing the will of God.

Read in the Bible, Exodus or Deuterenomy again to "see" what God meant for us. Can we still see the trees because of the forest?

Something is seriously wrong with the whole concept of festas, and it is not just the division amongst the people that is the issue, it is the spiritual blindness that God sends us, should we continue to practice idolatry.

I know most people do not believe it, but then, do we accept what God meant for us in the Bible, or traditions of man, that Christ strongly advised against?

Ch Vella

Oct 7th 2009, 10:00

Ahh the glass bottles thrown that’s not fun at all Mr. Sciberras. Have you ever been in that situation seeing bottles flying iron tables and chairs I’v been. I used to be a great fan of one of my local band clubs up till that occasion. But one must ask from where is this hate and anger being originated?

For me the two entities are church and political parties just give a look at the places where these fights during the feast happens. Many of them they have the so called feast and the many times second feast like Zabbar or Ghaxaq and in others they just have their emblem one red and the other one blue or their honorary president is a prominent political figure of one or the other party so many short minded think it’s a political club.

. And that’s how things should go in my opinion the church should bring both feasts on the same level no first no second and the political parties should make sure that they help educating people that politics should be left to election times and not with violence.

D. Delicata

Oct 7th 2009, 07:59

@ Bjorn Callus - veru l-istatwa ta' San Lawrenz li titla' quddiem il-kazin oppost ilha titla' hemmhekk iktar minn 100 sena u ghalek saru dawn r-regoli biex xi haga hekk ma tiqbax isir ghax tkun qed Toffendi l-partit opost.

Jien gieli gejt l-festa taghkom l-birgu avolja noghqod r-rabat u anki dik ta san duminku fil-birgu u niehu gost ghax inpaxxi ghajneja bil-gmiel ta toroq li tarmaw...specjalment l-bnadar u drapp z-zewg festi. ghallek ma qbilt xejn ma dan d-dokument tal-kurja fuq l-armar ghax festi bhal taghkom u ohrajn li jarmaw tant sabih mhux ha ikollna affarijit godda x'naraw wara 2013.

ma naqbilx mijak li l-festa ta san lawrenz mijix aktar minn 8ijiem ghax int stess ghadt li tibdew minn 31 ta' lulju b'marc sa 11 ta awissu ukoll isir marc l-ghada tal-festa! bhala deletant tal-festi ma naqbilx li ghanda tiqba isir hekk ghax mhux fair mal-festi l-ohra specjalment marc l-ghada tal-festa..fejn titnizel statwa minn fuq kolona quddiem l-kazin oppost.

Chris Grillo

Oct 7th 2009, 06:20

@Christian Sciberras. - Good morning friend. You seem to miss the whole point of my statement. I live in Tarxien and I tell you that I hate the festa season here...petards from the same Tarxien, Paola, Luqa,Fgura, and Zejtun area peppering me with the damned noise.

And some of the people in the marches are actually the people who are always sitting on a bar-stool, drinking from early morning, swearing at anything that goes by, and are usually the people who never contribute anything to society, let alone to the church.

Get this in your head please...I HATE THE FESTA. But other people think (and rightly so) otherwise. And they of course are to be respected.

My point is, what can the church do in reality? Ban them? If a political party can organise a march, a religious one certainly can...democracy and all that, you know? What I basically mean is that the morning festa should be totally disassociated from the church. It certainly isn't doing its' image any good.

Peace.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 6th 2009, 23:32

@Michael Grech - I can't see how what you're saying has to do with this document, it simply moderates feasts, rather then remove (or manage) them altogether.

If people aren't doing anything illegal/unethical/etc, I don't see how this document affects current "good" feasts.

@Rocco Cauchi - With all due respect, what you said is just discriminatory statements about different countries. As much as I've seen through life, I've never seen any difference between how different people of the same religion worships it (isn't it the point of the Church to keep it standard anyway?).

@mark borg - And you think tourists come here for feasts? Well come to think of it, I have no idea why they would want to come. Me, that I've seen a lot of these islands, wouldn't want to visit it (or any other place with similar qualities) regardless of customs/culture.

@Silvio Mizzi - However, there's enough people celebrating outside to fill up the parish church twice...

@S.Seychell - I don't give a damn about feasts, yet, I believe I've got a better (if not healthier) lifestyle then other "traditional" youngsters I know.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

C.Busuttil

Oct 6th 2009, 23:27

Mons Cremona

Dejjem nibqa sorpriz bil-kapacita tal-knisja biex minn haga tajba titlef kollox ghax id-dokument fil-parti l-kbira tajjeb, imma ghamiltu PUDINA dwar l-Armar u fejn kulhadd qed jitqies f'keffa wahda. Jekk tridu turu li YOU MEAN BUSINESS waqqfu fejn hemm l-abbuzi u mhux minhabba certu festi ahjar nghid marcijiet tal-misthija qed jehel kulhadd. Min huwa dilettant tal-festi jaf min huma dawn il-festi u jekk il-Knisja tiehu passi kontra taghhom hadd ma jghid xejn anzi tkunu qed taghmlu esempju bihom.
Jekk hemm xhaga fil-festi taghna li zgur mhux kontroversjali huwa l-armar tat-toroq. Zghazagh li jaghmlu sena shiha jahdmu fuq l-armar apparti li bhekk juru t-talenti taghhom jaghmlu dan f'ambjent nadif fejn mhemmx cans li wiehed ikollu l-vizji tax-xorb jew droga, issa ha taqtaw l-ahhar rabta li ghandhom iz-zghazagh mal-Knisja. Minflokk tigbdu n-nies, aktar taraw kif taghmlu biex twarbuhom.

@K. Farrugia

Hlief kliem bi pregudizju ma ktibtx, jekk minghalik fil-kazini ghadek issib nies bil-virdun taht idejhom sejjer hazin. Illum il-kazini tal-baned huma ferm organizzati aktar mill-club tal-football tal-premier. L-Armar jaghmlu l-kazin jew il-gruppi ta' l-armar ghax jekk ma jaghmluhx huma zgur li mhux ser taghmlu l-parrocca. Jekk m'ghandekx idea fuq il-festi bit-tajjeb u l-hazin li fihom meta trid naghtik lecture ta' 100siegha.

T Pulis

Oct 6th 2009, 21:14

Jiena qrajt id-dokument u fl-opinjoni tieghi kull rahal tpogga fl-istess keffa. Minix ha nsemmi armar u baned ghax dawk ga ssemmew. Jiena ser insemmi l-hrug tal-vara min-nicca. Mela f'Malta hawn irhula (li nzertaw fil-maggoranza taghhom zghar) fejn il-hrug tal-vara min-nicca huwa xi haga mill-aktar pagana u tisthajlek qieghed f'xi Assedju flok f'attivita religjuza. Izda hawn irhula (bhal Haz-Zabbar) fejn il-hrug tal-vara apparti li huwa attivita religjuza ta vera (ruzarju, kurunella, kant Marjan ecc) ma jista qatt isir gewwa kif qed jipproponi dan id-dokument. Rahalna huwa kbir u eluf ta Zabbarin jigu quddiem il-knisja jghidu r-ruzarju - Mistoqsija wahda ghandi! Jekk l-istatwi mhux se jithallew johorgu 10 minuti barra (kif naghmlu ahna) fejn se takkomodaw lin-nies fil-knisja? Mhux kull knisja f'Malta fiha daqs ta' Rahal Gdid! Dan l-istess jinghad ghal irhula ohra fejn il-vara qatt ma kienet simbolu ta ' pika.

S.Seychell

Oct 6th 2009, 20:01

id-deheb li jkunu libsin l-istatwi mhux paganizmu. Il-kultura irridu inwaqqfu! Tafu kemm zghazagh jiltaqghu biex jahdmu ghall-festa u dan ibeghdhom minn hafna vizzji! Tafu kemm muzicisti bravi hargu mill-baned Maltin u hafna minnhom spiccaw idoqqu fl-orkestra? ghaliex ha nattakaw il-baned ul-armar tat-toroq. jekk inwaqqfu l-armar us-sorprizi hafna jistghu jitilqu mill-ghaqdiet tal-baned u mill-ghaqdiet tal-armar u min jaf fejn jispiccaw!

Silvio Mizzi

Oct 6th 2009, 19:31

dhul tal vara fin-nicca wara jumejn ta festa mela nies ha issibhom dejjem u xoghol bye byee????

Franco Farrugia

Oct 6th 2009, 19:14

I have read the document that the Church has issued for consultation and it does not go far enough in certain aspects, such as fireworks.
Another point is that the doc states that a feast should continue to be celebrated over th span of one week - this is a problem, according to me. This is not a part of the traditional way of celebrating the feast - that is why there is such a thing as the triduum.
What the Church authorities are doin is to try and remove the idea of people looking at Churches ad at Religion as merely a museum. People, yes, go to church but only to see the damask, to see the beautiful ornaments of gold and silver ... the building in all its splendour. That is not true religion.
The mistake, voiced by many and which I shall echo, is that all towns and villages are being put in the same boat, due to the violence and unacceptable behaviour in some localities. I can mentio a good few where this takes place - the Church authorities should call a spade a spade and identify these localities and give them severe and public warnings.

Mark Cushcieri

Oct 6th 2009, 19:10

mux ekk ux nwaqqfu l festi issa ax l knisja qalet ekk...u addio turizmu

Rocco Cauchi

Oct 6th 2009, 19:00

The report makes interesting reading in that one can anthropologically assess the Curia's grading of matters of importance, the faithful's attribution of merits to what they consider their faith to consist in, and traditionalists who have plenty of religion (tying back to the origins) but little if any faith. Reference to robes and jurisdictions by the Curia (sic) which should be minding to more serious and holier business makes one shudder to think who really needs catechizing, whether the Curia, the religionists or the faithful - or all.
Perhaps it might be time to go back to the Arab period, denude the island of natural religion and start off all over again with mature missionaries coming to evangelize us in the true Christian faith!
I have always thought it was a very bad mistake for us in the last 150 years of our church history to depart from our Italian roots and go our own way both in the appointment of bishops and spirituality. We chose Irish/ American spirituality for the wealth of Italian or French inspired spirituality and adamantly developed our popular berber ways in forms no true catholic would conceive. That is why I constantly pray for change.

C. Farrugia

Oct 6th 2009, 18:49

id-dokument jibbaza fuq il-premessa li l-festa ta' barra hi taht l-awtorita' ekklezjatika. Din kienet it-teorija wara r-riformi tal-1935 li gabu gwaj kbir. Kellek il-Qrendi fejn damu 40 sena bi fratellanza sopressa - u minn flok kienu jghamlu l-festa Nazzjonali fit-8 ta' Settembru. L-energija u l-impenn jibqa hemm, pero jekk tgerrxu mill-festa religjuza jmur banda ohra. Bl-istess mod, jekk ma thallix li jsir armar, il-flus mhux ser jidhlu fil-knisja biex itaffi d-deficit li certu festi nterni qed ihallu. Anzi ser imorru band' ohra. Il-premessa li l-festa ta' barra taqa taht l-awtoritajiet ekklezjastici giet eredikata fl-1974. Illum hu dubjuz hafna kemm premessa bhal dik hi legali u kemm tkun tista toqghod ghal-test legali fil-qrati kostituzzjonali Maltin u dawk ewropej. Is-soluzzjoni x' inhi:

edukazzjoni
tindifa minn casettes ta' nies li saru sinjuri bil-kliem infami ma certu marci
hidma id fid mal-kazini
rispett lejn id-diversita ta' festi differenti f' irhula differenti
incentivi ghal l-aktar festa 'environmental friendly' u 'friendly ghal persuni bi bzonnijiet specjali'

L-impozizzjoni iggib biss ribelljoni - u jkun hasra li l-knisja maltija titlef eluf ta' nies ghaliex tithabat fuq settur li hu dmir il-puluzija li thares - min jinza u jitkellem hazin diga qed jikser il-ligi - ghaliex twaqqaf festa ghalhekk.

Bjorn Callus

Oct 6th 2009, 18:26

@ D. Belica - l-istatwa ta' San Lawrenz li titla' quddiem il-kazin oppost ilha titla' hemmhekk iktar minn 100 sena u fl-ebda sena ma kienet problema daqs kemm mhijiex problema ghalina li jkun hemm statwa ta' San Duminku f'nofs il-pjazza. Il-post ta' dawn l-istatwi qatt ma holqu firda jew provokazzjoni! U ta' min jghid ukoll li gol-Birgu Festi ezemplari ghandna, bil-maggoranza kbira tan-nies jiehdu sehem f'kull celebrazzjoni, inkluz il-quddiesa ta' Nhar il-Festa!
Mid-dehra idejqek il-fatt li San Lawrenz jigi iccelebrat b'Novena u jsir ukoll il-marc tal-ghada tal-Festa. Pero il-festi Esterni huma b'kollox 8 ijiem. Dan ghaliex hrug il-Vara hu 31 ta' Lulju u il-festa tkompli mis-6-11 t'Awissu. l-10 t'Awissu hi nhar il-festa. mill-1 sa 5 t'Awwissu barra ma jsir xejn hlief xi ikla u ricevimenti biss. Minn naha l-ohra, jidhirli li il-Festa ta' San Lawrenz l-uniku festa f'Malta fejn ghandna permess li l-ghada tal-Festa titnizzel l-istatwa minn fuq il-kolonna b'marc. u nerga' nghidlek mhi tal-ebda provokazzjoni li din qieghda kwazi quddiem il-kazin oppost!

A. Buttigieg

Oct 6th 2009, 17:54

Jiena qatt ma ktibt f'hajti fuq dawn l-affarijiet, imma nixtieq nghid 2 punti. Nispera li l-kurja taf xi hsara ha tamel b'dawn l-azzjonijiet u kemm se tbieghed nies li huma akkaniti ghal-festa. It-tieni punt il-marci jamlu parti mil-kultura u attrazjoni kbira ghat-turisti. X'se namlu bihom dawn? Ha tikkompensa l-kurja ghan-nuqqas ta negozju? Jek ikun hem bniedem fis-sakra u jnehhi l-flokk nikkundanaw ir-rahal kollu. Alura t-turisti li jkunu mqactin nikkundanaw il-lokalita li jkunu fiha?

Ahsibha darbtejn u dgerxux izjed nies. Ikkoncentraw fuq rikonciljazjoni halli tigbdu n-nies mhux tgerxuhom ghax min hu akkanit tal-festi rrabjat ghalikom.

Michael Grech

Oct 6th 2009, 16:44

@Christian Sciberras: I'm not taking the church to task for not letting revellers enjoy themselves. I'm simply saying that the church should have nothing to do with such events. I'm saying that the church should stop organising such events altogether. Festas (not merely band marches, but also pompous and anachronistic ritual) have acquired an almost irremediably pagan character. Given its resources and the lack of Christian education of local Catholics (as evidenced by some comments), the church should direct its energies to educate its flock, rather than to organising festas. If others want to organise festas, parties, and what have you; let them do it , simply highlight the fact that there is nothing religious about such events.

W. Bonello

Oct 6th 2009, 16:25

Allura Mons. Arcisqof, ghala mal-hazin ghandu jehel it-tajjeb?
Per ezempju Mons. Arcisqof, go San Giljan ghandna zewg kazini tal-baned li kuntrarju ta' Festi ohra f' Malta, dawn m' ghandhomx pika, anzi, fejn jistghu ddoqqu flimkien jew bhala mass band jew marc a la veneziana. Meta marc minnhom jghaddi minn quddiem il-kazin ta' banda ohra mhux talli ma jsirx tghajjir, li nies li jkunu fil-kazin l-iehor jigu jghatu donazzjoni. Igifieri dawn ma jistghux jghaddu minn quddiem il-kazin tal-banda l-ohra?
U fuq l-armar Mons. Arcisqof, igifieri la ha twaqqaf iz-zieda tal-armar fil-festi, ha twaqqaf il-hidma ta' tant zghazagh li jaghmlu sagrficcji kbar minflok jaqbdu vizzji hziena. U fl-istess hin, ser twaqqaf it-tixrid tal-arti. L-armar tal-festi issebbah l-ambjent tal-lokalita` fi zien ta' ferh biex nidhlu f' izjed armonija ghall-Festatal-Padrun. U l-armar tal-brijju x' ghandu hazin Mons. Arcisqof. Dan jiehu diversi hin biex isir miz-zghazagh taghna biex isebhu l-ambjent tar-rahal fi zmien ta' festa. U mhux vera dawn isir b' pika!!! Fl-opinjoni tieghi, jekk ghandu jizdied xi armar, ghandu jsir b' konsaultazzjoni mal-Kappillan u mal-Kunsill Lokali u m' hemmx bzonn l-Awtoritajiet Ekklezjastici tindahal xi jsir!!!

Mill-bqija, kien dokument bis-sens Arcisqof(hlief tal-hinijiet tal-purcissjoni u xi jsir fil-hrug minn nicca ukoll) li jaghmlu gieh lill-Festi taghna!!!

Sunny Said

Oct 6th 2009, 15:22

@Christian Sciberras

You have a very good point. And the reason about feasts is the atmosphere, Helwa ta tork :), and meeting friends/ families and of course have some fun.

The only thing i don't like about the feast is that people take them too seriously and end up with swearing... like example there is a place having two feasts, one of them is the Holy Mary of something and the other is the Holy Mary of something else. They swear at each other and saying profanities about each Holy Mary in the Marci... like hey... it's still the same Madonna.

That is what i don't like about feasts.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 6th 2009, 11:35

Expanding on my last post, let's try a little exercise, maybe some of you might open that closed mind of yours.

Why do we celebrate feasts? What is the point of having a feast?
I'm not being religious or anything, but to me it seems stupid to have people celebrate a feast just for having fun.

Believe or not, I've seen certain people during feasts asked what the feast was about.
The reply? They shrugged it of.
These people apparently even made it up to this newpost.

Who cares about the church? It's all about fun! Bring it on!

...

However, things aren't like this, and if the church has the legal right to moderate feasts, then be it. I fully accept and encourage such moderation.

This isn't just about Christian feasts, it applies to any other religion.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

Sunny Said

Oct 6th 2009, 11:29

@louis zammit

I totally agree with you since there is a high skill and intelligence from these people who craft the street art and other things related to the feasts. Removing that would waste a lot of art from the road and in a old canteen. The arts of the feasts are created by very skilled artist and it would be a waste of talents and of course a decrease in tourism if we remove them from the streets!.

Now, About the fireworks... I personally like fireworks, the kind of when they fire them they make a small pop sound and those colorful effects. But those useless bombs that shake the whole country are not amusing. Just a huge boom noise that irritates people, disturbs the environment and animals. Come on, it's just noise! VERY LOUD noise and no fun.

Christian Sciberras

Oct 6th 2009, 11:24

Jos. Abela - Being a Gozitan, I can actually confirm that feasts in Gozo or not always up to the rules.

Matthew mallia, Chris Grillo, Michael Grech - Pathetic? Pathetic is how people seem to want to *manipulate* the church around.
If you want to let loose, go to the more-then-beloved discos/bars. Keep your egoism to yourself.

R Mallia - I didn't say bands are unnecesary noise. Without the problem regulations, they are. Most of the time it's what accompanies them that's noisy.
What's so cultural seeing a drunk people behaving like a couple of clowns making fun of themselves?

Ch Vella - I am never biased. I've not mentioned a single particular feast. This means, there's nothing personal with my rants.
"Re all the trouble that happens than like every where the band clubs have to be responsible for their supporters but this already happens."
You call throwing glass bottles in front of the parish church responsible behaviour?

Michel Camilleri - Fully seconded.

louis - As I see it, they're doing that as well. However, pyrotechnics *SHOULD* have been monitored by the police (or is it?).

Michel Camilleri

Oct 6th 2009, 10:32

Finally we are getting a bit of orderly celebrations. Feasts are an integral part of our history and tradition but it seems that anyone can do as they please so long as it is in the name of the Festa or the patron saint. The noise from fireworks, the closure of roads, teh litterig of streets with all kinds of paper throwing, the removal of vital parking spaces in an already overcrowded area..these are some of the inconveniences. And only last weekend ...we are supposed to rejoice with the incessant of ringing of bells....I quote "the pealing of bells has to be done in moderation" and perhaps the church will explain what is moderate and what are the sound decibels that are acceptable without doing any damage to our ears. Well at least we are moving in the right direction

louis zammit

Oct 6th 2009, 10:16

the curia want a cut down on street decorations....and WHY NOT on BOMBI.......street decorations are a great attraction and ARTS....they are liked by all and i am sure no maltese is against them forsi xi wiehed ghax samrulu xi musmar mal faccata..... that can be avoided..but the CURIA better gets control on the FIREWORKS bhall xi Kaxxa infernali tal hrug tal vara.. that takes Halve an hour.or even longer.... not ban it but make a limit 10 minutes and no more
the fireworks at 8 in the morning stop them......but leave the works of art...evrybody loves arts

Claire Hollier

Oct 6th 2009, 09:35

Whilst I agree on the attempt to ban fanatics from turning a religious/cultural event into a liberal farce, may I draw the attention that it might be a good idea for the document to provide and encourage artistic and traditional trades associated with feasts such as typical Maltese food, orchestra etc which may continue to attract tourists. On the other hand the document SHOULD also abolish the custom 'pagana' of adorning statues with all kinds of gold bangles, denduli and other insignificant items in return for 'grazzji'. Those may well be given to charitable organisations which would suit a more noble purpose.

James De Giorio

Oct 6th 2009, 09:29

P Farrugia's attitude is the root of all the festa problems which society is trying to tackle. Grow up!

D. Delicata

Oct 6th 2009, 08:15

Jien nipropponi certu regoli mid-dokument jinbidlu xi ftit:

1. l-Marcijiet kollha ghandom ma jaghqudx minn 30 metru distanza quddiem l-kazin oppost.

2. Ma ghandha titella fuq kollona l-ebda statwa waqt marc jew bil-briju quddiem l-kazin oppost. din ghanda biss titella waqt li ikun qed jintrama l-armar tas-soltu u minghajr banda jew briju.

3. Qassis jew Patri ma jistax jikteb fuq fuljetti li johorgu mill-knisja(bhal Flimkien jew fil-Gazzetta l-Gens) jew mil-kazin jew mill-kumitat tal-festa fejn jaghmel referenza ghal festa opposta jew jghaddi xi botti bil-pulit.

4. l-Armar wara 2013 jista jigi mibdul minflok xi armar iehor kemm trid. ukoll kull sena tista tizdied (f'post gdid) xi bicca armar. ezempju Kolonna biss, s-sena ta wara tkun tista tohrog statwa wahda.

5. Festi ohra fejn huma biss ta devozzjoni, jistu jintramaw l-bnadar fuq l-bjut u swar u erba bandalori jew bnadr quddiem l-knisja biss

D. Delicata

Oct 6th 2009, 08:00

Jien delitant kbir tal-Festa, ghandi 19 l-sena, qiejed fil-kumitat taz-zghazagh u nahdem kuljum (qed nitalem inhit, naghmel tfassil fuq d-drapp, qed nitallem naghmel restawr fuq injam u stawi) biex nohorgu armar gdid u sabih ghal festa b'mod volontarju. Dan huwa DELIZZJU tieghi minmindu kelli 14 l-sena. Fi zmien l-festa niprefferi narma l-armar mal-volotarji kollha milli fil-marc noqghod naqbez. izda minhabba dan d-dokument meta ikolli 22 l-sena ha ikolli niqaf min dan d-delizzju.

Sfortunatament mal-hazin jehel t-tajjeb! jien naqbel li l-marcijiet ma jiqbux jaghddu ezatt minn quddiem l-kazin oppost izda ma naqbel xejn li wara 2013 ma tistax izid armar gdid.

Fuq l-marcijiet nixtieq nejd ukoll li hawn festi li itellu bil-marc l-istatwa fuq kolonna quddiem l-kazin oppost, nispera li din titnehha..ghax kieku din l-istatwa titella biex izejjen l-kumplament tat-triq ma fija xejn hazin izda li titella quddiem l-kazin opost tkun qed igib aktar firda u tista taqla provokazzjoni.

Ukoll nixtieq nejd li hawn festa li idum hafna aktar minn t'8 ijiem u jaghmlu marc l-ghada tal-festa ukoll u titnizel l-istatwa quddiem l-kazin oppost. dan huwa li ma ghandux jiqba isir!!!

Michael Grech

Oct 6th 2009, 07:50

Pathetic church politics. The curia should simply disengage; if others want to organise such pagan rituals, let them do it. Instead, it should focus on educating its heard; comments like the one by Daniel Gauci show that devout Catholics lack even the basics (referring to inexisting passages in the Gospel; distorting Jesus' words and not even being aware that churches did not exist in Jesus' time!)

Jos. Abela

Oct 6th 2009, 07:38

Re: J.Cassar u Gordon Grech.
It-tnejn li intom IEQFU u thalltux l-festi Malttin ma' dawk Ghawdxin. Il-Festi Ghawdxin ghandhom ikunu ta' mera lill-Maltin ghaliex ahna l-Ghawdxin nobdu l-ordnijiet kollha tal-Pulizija u ghalhekk f'dawn l-ahhar sentejn qatt ma nqala l-ebda nkwiet bejn baned u parrocci ghaliex il-Pulizija gharfet tmexxi b'id tal-Hadid mill-ewwel u qatlet il-brimba qabel nehhiet l-ghanqbuta. Mhux minfejn jghaddu l-marcijiet jghodd, imma r-responsabilita tal-pulizija u ta-organizzaturi tal-festi li jahdmu id f'id bi thejjijiet serji u addattati. Il-moderazzjoni tal-hinijiet huwa ferm importanti f'dawn il-kazi. Mela ejjew nuru lill-Maltin kif ghandhom jaghmlu l-festi minghajr incidenti .

Chris Grillo

Oct 6th 2009, 07:34

I will state my beliefs first.I dearly believe in God. But some church decisions leave me cold.

Is it the church's right to say what goes on or not outside its' doors? Has it got a copyright on the patron saint's name? I think not. As long as the required permits are coming from the police, I don't see there is much the curia can do about it.

As for the revellers, letting loose once a year from all the pressures of life is not a bad thing. From my point of view, rather than making the 'morning march' in honour of the saint, this should be held as the 'village march'.

Like I said, I am a firm believer, but the church has to realise that yes, there are people who do not want to believe in it anymore...nobody forces ME to believe,and nobody should be forced otherwise.

It's quite similar to the divorce issue isn't it? IF you're a christian you are hardly going to make use of it, so let others who do not believe to do what they want. Either way, divorce is going to be accepted for SURE.(not.necessarily.sure.if.correct.or.not....but.it.will.arrive)

Matthew mallia

Oct 6th 2009, 06:59

L-istess ahna ta' wied il-ghajn ghadna nibdew u jridu jkissruna lanqas biss ghadna bdejna. ahna festa zghira li kienet ser tibda tizviluppa fl-armar izda xi hadd gharef iddecieda li jaqbad ma' l-armar ghax ra l-paganizmu fl-armar.

Il-paganizmu qieghed meta taghmel irkant fi statwa biex terfaha u l-flus imorru ghall-knisja ara dak hadd ma waqfu. Min jahdem full time fix-xoghol ta' l-armar dawn ser toqtluhom bil-guh tafu x'intom taghmlu?

qed nisthajjel dan l-indhil goff bhaz-zmien is-60 li jekk il-poplu ma jzommx sod ser jitlef kollox. din ta' l-armar mhux accettabli. Il-paganizmu vera hallejtuh ghaddej biex tissodisfaw lill-festi l-kbar mentri liz-zghar qed taghmlu minn kollox sabiex teqirduhom. ingustizzja kbira din.

Ch Vella

Oct 6th 2009, 00:25

@ Christian Sciberras and every one this is not personal after all.

The problem is that here in Malta everyone wants play the IMPORTANT AUTHORITY . But I believe the church should play the authority role only in her properties so they can do it in church or at the museum were they have all the right to do so. But outside I’m sorry that’s public property and the only authority that should play are the local councils and the police.

Let’s face it the church can impose herself on many band clubs simply because they don’t own the street decorations and the same decoration is stored in some church store building. But there are places in Malta were the street decoration is owned by the band clubs so in those places I believe one can stand up and make his point.

Re all the trouble that happens than like every where the band clubs have to be responsible for their supporters but this already happens.

D. MANGION

Oct 5th 2009, 23:29

F'dan is-suggett nifhem, ghax tista tghid li f'kull weekend fl-istagun tal-festi, jien nattendi ghal talanqas festa wahda jekk mhux tnejn. Inhobb kollox, l-armar, in-nar, il-giggifogu, il-funzjonijiet religjuzi, id-djar sbieh tal-irhula taghna meta jkunu armati ghal-festa, l-atmosfera ta familji maghquda (anki b'xi migja ta xi emigrant li jkun ilu ma jirfes lura f'pajjizna), il-kuncerti, is-sorprizi, ir-riha tal-qubbajt u l-hlewwiet l-ohra li jirfsu certu rhula fi zmien il-festa biss....insomma kakofanija ta kulur, storbju, arti, briju, ferh, u dak kollu li jaghmilna Mediterranji.

Jekk hawn xi hadd li jahseb li dan jista jsir minghajr l-aspett religjuz, kull m'ghandu jaghmel hu li jikser il-linji gwida tal-Knisja, u jipprova jorganizza festa ad-unur ta xi hag' ohra hu....fejn naf jien...festa ghad unur tac-cikkulata....ad unur tal-bahar....ad unur tas-sess ! ad unur tal-muzika rock.....imbaghad naraw x'jigri.

Jekk kollox imut fuq ruh ommu, allura jkollna nammettu li l-knisja ghanda ragun li tmexxi kif thoss li hu sewwa, fl-affarijiet li jsiru f'isimha.

Nifrahlek eccellenza....qed tipprova ssalva dak li hu originat mill knisja. Ftahtu ghad-djalogu. Nittama li tiftah widnejk kemm tiflah. Certu krib tan-nies mhuwiex krib fieragh.

Minn naha tieghi jien nixtieq li fil-festi taghna jkun hemm hafna hidma mal-emarginati tar-rahal. Iltiema, morda, nies jghixu wahedhom, fqar ta veru....taf x'irrid infisser.

laurence D'Amato

Oct 5th 2009, 23:09

jin ma nistax nifem kif mal hazin jehel it tajjeb....ml jin mil fgura sewwa qedin namlu festa wara festa dejem sabiha bl armar li namlu u dejem inzidu fin nies.....imbad tigu intom u tajdulna li ha taqtaw larmar jin nahseb fil fehma tijaj li jek ha tamlu ekk hafna zghazgha ha jtilqu mil kumissjonijiet nahseb lewwel wiehed jin ax il festi ha jibdu jigu bla sens u em haga ohra it turisti il magoranza jigu aw malta bix izuru il festi u jitpaxew ma larmar li namlu ahna zghazgha.em bzonn li jitrangaw xi festi ax qisom hirgin al politka ax dak ahmar u lihor blue imma mux mal festi il kbar jehlu zar is not fair ejew niragunaw naqra u decidu mux taqbdu u tigbdu habel wiehed hbib jek ha tamlu ekk aktar ha jkun awn glied u imbaraz li ahna il fgura mandix min dawn lafarijit.MELA sewwa ahna nahdmu sena shiha biex forsi TIRNEXXI MIN SENA TA QABEL peres li ahna rahal zajr u nies mux mil fgura umbad tigu intom tajdulna biex naqtaw larmar ax hela ta flus ahna il flus generalment mil ativitajit li norganizaw ta mux imoru nisirqu..il festa tisbih bil kapacita li jamlu zghagha.VTK :)

Alex Powell

Oct 5th 2009, 22:50

L-akbar daqqa fuq l-armar. Jista xi hadd jispjega kif se naghmlu festi aktar insara billi ma nzidux armar? Hawn numru kbir ta' persuni, fosthom zghazagh, li jaghtu hinhom u qalbhom jahdmu b'mod artistiku fuq l-armar tal-festi, ghalfejn ghandna nwaqqfuhom. Lil min qed iwegghu? Hawn ghaqdiet tal-armar li ghandhom programm shih ta' xoghol fuq l-armar li jiehu s-snin u issa ha nghidulhom jabbandunaw kollox. Sewwa li d-dokument miftuh ghad-diskussjoni ghax din il-klawsola jehtieg titranga sew ghal gid ta' kulhadd ghax se twegga hafna u bla bzonn.
Bhalma b'mod gust napprezzaw it-talenti muzikali li jezisti fil-kazini tal-baned, ghandna wkoll napprezzaw l-arti u l-artigjanat li johorgu mill-imhazen tal-armar. Wisq nibza li s-sagrificcji kbar li jaghmlu dawn il-persuni, mhux apprezzat, kieku din il-klawsola li ma jsirx armar gdid ma kienetx issir.
L-armar fil-festi mhux qed jaghti lok ta' paganizmu u lanqas mhu qed itellef il-messagg nisrani tal-festa, anzi hafna drabi jghin. Jien konvint li bl-g]ajnuna t'Alla u b'rieda tajba minn kulhadd dan id-dokument jitranga verament ghall-gid tal-festi minghajr il-bzonn li jwegghu daqshekk nies.

Clifford Spiteri Cornish

Oct 5th 2009, 22:46

Typical Maltese complaining about everything!
We are living in intolerant, whining society; everyone wanting to eradicate events that do not fall into their personal itinerary. Be it festas or airshows or other outdoor activities.

I am not a festa fanatic, but I gave festas a chance. I am so glad I did, because frankly it is a fantastic tradition, so colorful and fun. No matter how ostentatious they might be, they still bring out the community spirit in towns and villages all over Malta, providing entertainment to thousands of people – including tourists. And when the village feast is close, it instills so much good spirit and pride in all the people of that particular village!

If only people could stop nagging and open their mind just for 1 minute and see that festas are fun! The saddest thing is that people who nag the most are the same who are least affected and probably haven’t been to a festa for years, if ever at all!

I must thank all the dedicated people that make village festas such lively events, making Malta such a better place!

And to all you people who complain, please keep on doing so. Your loss!

F.Pace

Oct 5th 2009, 22:42

Nahseb li l-aghar haga li saret kienet li intefa kulhadd f'keffa wahda. Veru ma tridx taghmel eccezzjonijiet ghax inkella jibda l-inkwiet, imma il-festi huma differenti f;kull belt u rahal, kemm kif jigu organizzati u anke f'dak li jsir.
Naqbel ma hafna minnkom rigward l-armar. Nahseb dan il-qasam kien l-iktar wiehed li ntlaqat hazin f'dan id-dokument. Ma nara ghalfejn ghandna nghidu le ghal armar gdid. Allura dawk li jahdmu fl-imhazen ta' l-armar jew tas-Sorprizi issa x'ser isir minnhom? Narawhom jigru 'l hemm u 'l hawn jew fil-bar? Imbasta nghidu li niehdu gost naraw il-volontarjat fil-kazini... allura ghaliex flok inkomplu ninkoragguh, nippruvaw naqtghuh.
Haga ohra - il-hrug u d-dhul min-nicca tal-vara - ghaliex isir privatament? Il-hrug min-nicca jindika lbidu tal-festa, u ghaliex il-vara ma tistghax tinhareg sal-bieb tal-knisja? U x'ser jigri fejn ma jkunx hemm bizzejjed spazju ghal kulhadd fil-knisja? Naf x'qed nghid ghax f'certu okkazjonijiet tista' tigri.

Steven Camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 22:40

In some aspects i fully agree with the Archbishop and the Curia, but why should the rules be the same for every village, surely you can't compare a small village feast with the big ones like Hamrun were no catholicisim is shown ! And why the fuss about decorations ? Nobody complains about this great artistry ?

PS Are we going to do somthing about Christmas as surely not every one celebrates them the way they should, what do Easter Eggs have to do with the risen Christ i Wonder?

jonathan camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 21:13

bhala membru fil- kummisjoni zghazagh banda madonna tal-karmnu tal-fgura hassejtni sorpriz hafna bid dokument fej jidhlu sorprizi waqt il festa. ma nara li fiha xej hazin li grupp ta volontarji jahdmu matul is sena go mahzen jew kazin bix fil gimgha tal festa fl ahhar mill ahhar naghtu gost lil pubbliku prezenti. ma ninsewx li hafna zghazagh jahdmu mill qalb u bla hlas ghax ihobbu l patrun jew patruna tar rahal jew belt. mela ejja lkol flimkin nirrevedu dan id dokument ghax jek jibqa hekk l interess miz zghzagh fil festi ser jonqos u mhux jizdied zgur. u lin nies li tkelmu kontra l festi nixtieq nghidilhom bix fost is sena jghaddu min hdej xi mahzen u jibdlu l fehma zgur. ghax ahna li naghmlu huwa bix tgawdu intom ilkoll. thallux din it-tradizjoni tinqata. viva l festi

Chris J Delicata

Oct 5th 2009, 21:05

This long awaited discussion paper suggests some important regulations to our village feasts which unfortunately in recent years were not always celebrated in true Christian spirit. The village festa is synonymous with our Maltese culture and it is important that this remains so - thankfully this document will restore dignity to our village feasts. Archbishop Cremona, the Curia and the College of Parish Priests ought to be congratulated for taking this very important initiative in the interests of all - the Church, the festa organisers and the public in general.

P. Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 20:57

Jien m' ghandi xejn kontra l- kontroll tal- esagerazzjonijiet fil- marci ta' filghodu. Pero' l- knisja trid tirrealizza li zmien il- hamsinijiet, fejn kienet tbezza n' nies bil- babaw spicca. Trid tirrealizza li ma' tistax timponi HI fuq propjeta' privata ta' kazin tal- banda.. Wara kollox l- armar ikun sar u nxtara bl- gharaq tal- membri li jkunu ghogobhom jaghtu l- flus biex l- armar isir. Barra l- ghatba tal- knisja mhux kompitu taghha tiddeciedi x' isir. Jekk trid tezercita kontroll, tezercitah kemm trid, imma mill- ghatba tal- knisja l- gewwa.

A Zahra

Oct 5th 2009, 20:54

Having scoured through the document I cannot draw but one simple conclusion. The church or the ones running the show within it still believe that we are in the year 1900 wherever everything is in control by the church. Whilst fully concurring with the church authorities that the situation in certain band marches needs to be addressed very urgently and that processions should be a religious event executed with composure and consistency and not a carnival parade; I still fail to comprehend the reasoning in trying to impose restrictions and controls on street decorations which it neither owns nor maintains or how the church expects to control the public activities going on within the limits of the parish when this is the sole responsibility of the state. But then the biggest insult of all is that it still preaches that secondary feasts should be allowed lesser rights then the parish feast which still today is the greatest driver of pique and senseless rivalry whilst on the other hand it is saying that with this consultation it wants to bring back harmony and christian values to our feasts. Equality is one of the main pillars of Christianity Mgr Gouder.

C.ZARB

Oct 5th 2009, 20:45

ghax Kristu meta mistoqsi ghaliex il knisja ma tbihx ir rikezzi taha biex tajjex il fqar irrisponda li dik dar Alla u ghandu jkolla l ahjar. Mr Gauci tista turini fliema skrittura intqal dan? Grazzi min quddiem.

K.Debono

Oct 5th 2009, 20:41

Mhux gust maghna tfal Fgurin f'parrocca li ilha tarma ghall-festa tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu b'mod organizzat ghal 17-il sena biss, li taqtalna l-isvilupp ta' armar gdid. Ghalkemm dan l-ahhar ghamilna avvanzi kbar fl-armar taghna, xorta ghad fadlilna hafna u hafna pjanijiet li bihom insebbhu specjlament it-triq tal-purcissjoni b'armar gdid. Fi 17-il sena zgur ma kelnix cans ghalinqas li naghmlu l-minimum li ghamel haddiehor f'150 sena! Nistaqsi: X'qatt ghamlet hazin il-Kummissjoni Festa Esterna Fgura biex tigi mwaqqfa milli zzid armar gdid?? X'qatt ghamlet esagerat fil-festa tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu?? U Onestament ninkwieta l-aktar ghax dawn l-ahhar snin ilqajna fostna numru sabih ta zghazagh minn kull qasam tas-socjeta u nixtieq li dawn jibqu jattendu anke jekk naslu fi stat li ma jkolnix armar gdid xnaghmlu! Mhux fair li post gdid bhal Fgura jbaghti l-konsegwenzi ta' min esagera tul is-snin! Ahna l-Fgurin ma kelnix x'naqsmu!........ u nitlob lil kittieba li qed jattakaw il-festi biex ghalinqas jekk ma jaqblux mal-festi, juru fti apprezzament ghal min jahdem is-sena kollha f'ambjent nadif f'KOMMUNJONI (kif mixtieq mis-Sinodu) fl-imhazen tal-armar u l-kazini tal-baned. Grazzi u Viva l-Madonna tal-Karmnu Patruna taghna.

Carmelo Nenu Aquilina

Oct 5th 2009, 20:23

Sinjuri tal-Kurja, Dawk l-extended open bars tal-kazini u hwienet li qed jarmaw fil-pjazez u fit-toroq fil-gimgha tal-festa, jbieghu kull kwalita ta' alkahol minghajr permess la tal-pulizija u lanqas tal kunsill Lokali, m'intom ser taghmlu xejn dwarhom. Tafu li dawn qed jaghmluha aktar facli biex wiehed jibda il-fizzju tax-xorb, u wiehed isiba wisq aktar faċli li jisker. Possibli l-ufficjali tal-knisja ma jafux li l-wisq rispettat l-Arcipriet tas-Siggiewi lill pulizija kien qallhom li jekk mhux ser jzarmaw dawk l-extended open bars li kien hemm armat fil-pjazza ma kienx ser johrog il-purcissjoni. Tafu li l-pulizija zarmaw dawn il-bars immedjatament. Mela allura il-knisja ghax ma tiehux azzjoni iebsa fuq dawn il-bars illegali fil-granet tal-festa. Dawn veru qed jaghmlu hsara liz-zghazagh.,Sinjuri tal-knisja ,sissa f'Malta kulhadd ghalaq ghajnejh, nispera li inton tifthuhom ghal-gid taz-zghazagh Maltin u Ghawdxin!

A Zammit

Oct 5th 2009, 20:13

I am involved in the feast and fireworks of my village. Have read this article and watched the clip of the interview with Archbishop Paul Cremona. Firstly, this is a consultation document which is open to everyone who is interested to participate. This is very important because decisions are taken together and not imposed. I do agree with some of the points raised in the document whilst I disagree with other points such as that of the street decorations. However, we, who take part and organize feasts, have to admit that there are certain feasts that are very tense between rivals and often the marches contain literally only abuse and profane language. Such feasts are very well known and it is good for all the community that such feasts are ‘corrected’.

Malcolm Seychell

Oct 5th 2009, 20:11

Usually I I don't attend to feasts, but this is a clear indication that the church want to take full control of what happens during the feast and that particular week.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 19:48

I have yet to study the document in great detail, but at the outset, it is wrong to decide that the parish feast will continue to be celebrated over a whole week - it should revert back to the way it was originally: that is why there is the 'triduum'!

Franco Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 19:31

@ Sur Bellia - Hemm bidla u bidla. Il-Knisja mhux f'kollox ghandna naghtuha tort. Hemm affarijiet li fihom ghandha ragun u biex tbiegh. Qed thawwad haga m'ohra. Divorzju: il-Knisja ghandha dritt li tghallem kontra d-divorzju u li min-naha taghha, tahdem u tistinka biex il-koppji jibqhu flimkien. Li taghmel hazin hu meta tibda thedded u taghfas lill-legizlaturi taghna biex jobduha: hemm il-Knizja tizbalja ghax ma taghrafx li l-legizlatur qed jirrapprezenta lil min huwa wkoll lajk! Ma tistax tippretendi li l-Knisja iccedi il-principji taghha biex 'tinghogob' bhalma jinghogob il-legizlatur.

Il-festi taghna irid jigu ikkontrollati ghax m'humiex qed jaghtu riflessjoni tajba ta' minn fejn qedin joriginaw. Minn fejn joriginaw il-festi? Mhux mill-festa religuza tal-patrun tar-rahal? Kieku m'hemmx festa tal-Patrun, ikollna festi? Le. Allura mela ma jsegwix li l-Knisja ghandha dritt li tikkontrollahom? Trid taghmel distinzjoni bejn il-parrocca u r-rahal/lokalita'. Il-parrocca hija mmexxija mill-Kappillan u l-Kunsill lajk li jghinu. Il-lokalita' hija haga ohra: mmexxija minn Sindku u Kunsill lokali. Meta l-Kunsill irid jiccelebra, jorganzza speci ta' Jum il-XXXX. Pero, il-Parrocca hija dik li torganizza l-festi u l-kazini iridu jimxu u jahdmu 'in tandem' mal-Parrocca. Din, irridu nifhmuha.
Issemmu l-pika. Hemm pika tajba u hemm pika vjolenti, dizastruza, li taghmel ghajb kbir! Din trid tieqaf.

Bjorn Callus

Oct 5th 2009, 19:31

@ Antoine Farrugia - Habib meta titkellem fuq festi partikolari get your facts well l-ewwel. Fil-kaz tal-festa ta' San Lawrenz, l-istatwa fl-ebda hin ma tkun wahidha kif qed tghid inti ghax maghha jkun hemm il-kleru kollu, jew min jiflah joqghod skond l-eta` kif ukoll l-Arcipriet, il-kap tal-Parrocca. dan biex ma nsemmux li mal-istatwa ukoll ikun hemm il-Membri tal-Kumitat Festi Esterni San Lawrenz, il-Kumitat tas-Socjeta' Muzikali Banda Vittoriosana San Lawrenz, is-Sezzjoni Zghazagh Palmizi, il-Grupp Armar tal-Knisja u dawk kollha nvoluti fl-organizzar tal-Purcissjoni u anke dawk tal-Ghaqda Piroteknika 10 t'Awwissu li jaslu ezatt ghad-dhul tal-vara. Il-Brigu ahna kollha flimkien naghmlu il-Festa kbira taghna. u kollha kemm ahna nkunu mal-purcissjoni fl-ahhar siegha u nofs, flimkien mal-Kleru u l-Arcipriet!

Daniel Gauci

Oct 5th 2009, 19:10

L-ewwel nies nixtieq nikkumenta li ninsab dizappuntat kemm min dan ir rapport kif ukoll mir reazzjoni li qed nara tal-pubbliku qedin ninsew li ahna pajjiz kattoliku li anna ghal qalbna il festi kemm interni u esterni u ma andix namlu restrizzjonijiet fuq l armar kemm ta barra u lanqas ta gewwa ghax Kristu meta mistoqsi ghaliex il knisja ma tbihx ir rikezzi taha biex tajjex il fqar irrisponda li dik dar Alla u ghandu jkolla l ahjar.Min naha l ohra dwar l inkonvenjenzi minhabba l armar jrid jkollok vera wiccek tost biex ma tissaportix ftit jiem meta l kumitati jdumu jahdmu tant biex jamlu dan l armar bhala insara li jirrispettaw l glorja ta Alla ghad differenza ta hafna indifferenti li mohhom fix-xalar biss kif ukoll tant hidma ta missirijietna li fil passat kienu hafna aktar dedikati. Il-Kurja alkemm tohrog direttivi dwar l-ilma fil festi u hwejjeg tippressa biss fuq festi zghar bhal San Pawl il-Bahar ghax festi kbar qas biss titniffes. Finalmhttp://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/headlines/cartoon-of-the-dayent nahseb li il knisja qabdet il huta minn rasa u attakkat il parti l hazina hemm hafna affarijiet allarmanti per ezempju l indifferenza lejn Alla enormi tal poplu malta!!

Niki Papagiorcopulo

Oct 5th 2009, 18:55

I just finished reading the whole document. There are many positive points that all feast organisers (myself included) will do well to reflect upon. However I cannot help but commenting that while the document criticizes and proposes what the Church Authorities believe to be a solution for every sector of the feast- band marches, decorations, fireworks, etc, it does not direct any criticism towards the organisation of liturgical celebrations and the attitude that various members of the clergy are displaying in organising liturgical celebrations. Does this mean that the clergy is correct in everything it organises while the laity is not? This shows that the Church in Malta has not changed- it fails to see its own shortcomings, while pointing the finger at faults which are not necessarily those of feast organizers. I sincerely hope that Mgr Cremona's talent for building bridges is manifested in the dialogue to be undertaken in the next months. There are sections of the document which need re-drafting and I hope that another section with a bit of self criticisim and a way forward to overcome shortcomings from the Church's part will be added. Only this will make the Church authorities credible.

F.Williams

Oct 5th 2009, 18:54

@Antoine Farrugia La ghogbok issemmi il-Festa Ta San Duminku, kun ghaf li meta l-kurja bidlet ir-regolamenti tal-festa xi snin ilu, dawn issawru fuq il-principji tal-festa taghna. Issa minhabba li gol-belt hemm tradizzjoni (u mhux f`San Duminku biss) il-kleru jidhol qabel dan ma jfissirx li ssir pagana!! L-ewwelnet hlief innijiet u marci dedikati lil-qaddis ma jindaqqghux u t-tieni l-atmosfera vera tkun brijjuza imma b`daqshek kull ma nkunu nuru hija ghaqda u gibda lejn il-qaddis mahbub taghna u xejn aktar. Warakollox f`demmna l-beltin li nkunu brijjuzi. Ghax ma semmejtx li ahna QATT ma kellna xi marc jew attivita esterna li b`xi mod ifixkel il-funzjonijiet interni li tant beltin jattendu? Dan ma jfissirx li kollox perfett ghanda ta, imma tant m`ghandhiex fiex ninkwetaw ahna l-beltin li min dawn il-proposti l-unika haga li tista tolqotna hija dwar l-armar gdid, Il-bqijja fil-festi gol-belt ftit hemm x`tirrnanga!

Elaine Zammit

Oct 5th 2009, 18:54

Jekk l-gharmar tal-festa jaqa' taht il-Knisja jista xi hadd jejdli min ha jamel manutenzjoni ta l-armar, u min ha jarmah l-armar, fistuni, bandalori, trofej, plancier etc, fil-gimghat ta qabel il festa, u izarma l-istess armar????!!!! Il Qassisin, l-arcpriet, is-sangristan?!!!! @ J farrugia - Tista timmagina festa ta parrocca minghajr banda iddoqq, waqt il purcissjoni ta nhar il festa specjalment, anke fil purcissjoni tad duluri u gimgha il kbira iddoqq il banda ahseb u ara f' celebrazzjoni ta ferh! Grazzi

J. Vella

Oct 5th 2009, 18:51

@ K. Farrugia Sur Farrugia, nistiednek tasal wasla f'xi wiehed minn dawn il-kazini li qed issemmi u titla f'xi wiehed mis-sulari ta' fuq, fejn ikunu qed jinghataw il-lezzjonijiet tal-muzika, jew waqt xi hinijiet tal-provi tal-banda. B'hekk titghallem li: 1. f'dawn il-postijiet ma jkunx hemm biss "erbgha minn nies bil-virdun taht idejhom"; 2. ma tkunx degreganti u titghallem tirrispetta l-opinjoni ta' haddiehor.

Mark Edward Mifsud

Oct 5th 2009, 18:46

Wow the continuation of the distraction of the feasts. It was the Clergy that promoted these feasts in the past and know they are going to continue to destroy our heritage. If it wasn’t for the feasts we wouldn’t have the churches decorated with such work of arts!

Norbert Vella

Oct 5th 2009, 18:39

@R. Gauci - Hekk qieghed titkellem ahjar siehbi

J.darmanin

Oct 5th 2009, 18:34

Mhux hekk inqasu il festi ha konna aktar recizjoni f'dan il pajjiz,tant niftahru mal barranin u fuq magaziens u dokumentarji kemm ghadna festi sbieh u hajruhom jigu malta,mela spicat malta jekk jaqtaw il festi u nar kul ma kun fadal fis sajf inharsu lejn il bahar naraw il bram bicca hobz biz zejt ghax bbq ma jistawx isiru,viva malta!!addio tradizzjonijiet

Antoine Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 18:21

Jien dilettant tal-festa...id-dokument fih affarijiet tajbin pero minflok il-kurja tara li ma tridx izzid affrijiet ta' armar barra bhal pilandri, etc ma naqbilx maghha. Ghaliex il-kurja ma tatx harsa lejn dawk il-purcissjonijiet bhal.. San Duminku, San Lawrenz, San Gejtanu etc fejn il-kleru u l-fratelli jkunu dahlu fil-knisja u l-istatwa ddum xi 1.5hrs barra wahedha? Meta jigri hekk il-purcissjoni ssir pagana.

R. Gauci

Oct 5th 2009, 18:21

Kif kiltuni ghax issuggerejt li kull rahal Malti, li normalment jghodd mal-5,000 abitant ikollu banda wahda biss. Allura ncedi, pero nissuggerixxi lill-isqof li ma l-ewwel inkwiet waqt marc f'dak ir-rahal il-festi esterni jinthassru ghal 10 snin bil-marc ghall-eternita'. Ovvja li min jaf li l-festa tieghu tkampa biss bis-sahha tal-pika se joqmos ma jmurx ma jkollux lil min jinki mis-sena d-diehla.

Rocco Cauchi

Oct 5th 2009, 18:21

I think both the Church and fervent catholics have got it wrong on feasts and processions.
The greatest feast needing true celebration is Easter Sunday, and the greatest and only procession gathering in it the whole parish is the Palm Sunday procession. All other feasts and ancillaries are of little, if any, importance.
Cardinal Peter Turkson, a 'papabile' and current official recorder at the Synod of Bishops on Africa now being held in Rome, recently said "...some priests and bishops in Africa were products of 'notional Christianity' — they had been brought up in a Catholic home, had a Catholic education, and learned their theology, but had never experienced a personal conversion."
I think this very well applies to Malta too. We do not patch up faith problems with notional short-term solutions, just to appear in history books that "we tried" finding a solution. Sorry, it only makes people leave the Church by the scores and search Protestant pastures new showing greater maturity in this regard.
Some Italian seminarians were last summer really scandalised by the drunken behaviour of persons accompanying a band marching behind a procession!! So much for tradition and a sentimental Church which falls to please all...

Patrick Bellia

Oct 5th 2009, 18:13

Siehbi Franco Farrugia jekk ha nibqaw sejrin hekk f kollox u f kull ma jsir fil pajjiz anke dwar affarijiet politici iridu jindahlu ez bhall divorzju etc, tghidlix jaghtu opinjoni, illum certi affarijiet hemm bzonnhom u jinbidlu jridu ma jistax ikun nibqghu lura f kollox. biss jekk ha nbqaw sejrin hekk erbat ijeim ohra jibdew jghidulna fix hin ghandna mmorru norqdu.

James Scerri

Oct 5th 2009, 18:02

Knisja medjevali konna ghadna u niqbghu!
Ghaliex ma ftit qed jehel kullhadd! Hemm punti tajbin...hafna ukoll, pero hemm ohrajn li personalment narahom redikoli!
Ezempju...ma tixrobx alcohol...illum anki jekk tmur party ta pracett jaghtuk l-alcohol..imagina festa. Nies b-zaqqhom barra....m'hemmx ghalfejn tkun festa biex tarahom...imma again ftit jkunu! Pika (bla dagha u tghajjir) nitollerha...sakemm ma jinqabzux l-limiti!

Jiena mistoqsija wahda ghandi? ghaliex ma jwaqfux il-purcisjonijiet profani...fejn irxoxt johrog min kazin...u mu mhux minn knisja?! ....Arcisqof ghandu jintervjeni hemm ukoll!

Franco Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 17:37

@ C Attard - The Archdiocese of Malta is different from the Diocese of Gozo - there are two different Bishops. So, you cannot equate Malta with Gozo in this case.

@ Chris Fava - Chris, Parrocca ma jistax ikollha iktar minn Patrun wiehed, jew wahda. Nifhem il-punt u l-ugiegh tieghek dwar festi sekondarji, imma ... anke l-isem taghhom jindika x-inhuma.... festi sekondarji. Ovvjament, wiehed irid jidhol fl-istorja ta' kull lokalita qabel ma jiggeneralizza. Imma ... jekk tiftah il bieb lil wahda, tista tifhu berah lil kulhadd. Umbaghad veru jibda l-inkwiet.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 17:30

@ Patrick Bellia: I don' t think that there is any intention of killing feasts, only controlling these outside manifestations which occur due to the parish feast. With regard to the betting that takes place for the carrying of the statue, you are certainly referring to Mgarr, the only occurrence. You omit to state where that money goes to. I believe that it goes to charity but I am not sure. Perhaps the Mgarr PP can enlighten one and all before crying foul.
@ Victor Testa & R Gauci: No comment - very silly remarks.
@ M Busuttil - Le, ghadek ma fhimt xejn. L-idea hi li peress li l-festi fir-rahal qedin hemm biex jiccelebraw haga religjuza, dawn ic-celebrazzjonijiet iridu jkunu ftit kontrollati ... jien naf, isiru inqas b'mod selvagg, ma nistax nesprimi ruhi iktar car minn hekk.
@ Joseph Cassar - Malta u Ghawdex huma zewg Djocezijiet differenti u b'differenzi kbar bejniethom, ... u mn'Alla!
@ M. Camilleri - The problem would be that the Parish and Curia would halt the feast in question. As a consequence of that, believe me, there wouldn t be any interest in any outside celebration and yes, the Police would then withhold permit.

Franco Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 17:21

First of all, my sincere gratitude for all those many volunteers who work extremly hard before, during and after their village festa - many times, their work goes unrecognised.
However, certain points are worth remembering:
@ Ch. Vella: I disagree with you. If it had to be left to band clubs, there would be mayhem, disorder and violence at every village feast. The band club is acting within the parish and thus it is up to the parish to have the final say.
@ Claire Busuttil: You have many valid points, particularly the one on parking bays. Sometimes, festa poles are put just below pavements and thus, cars cannot be parked in a proper manner. To add to this, the holes are left open for months on end, or when they are closed, the work is not done properly.
@ Johann Cardona: Sorry, but that is what the Church is trying to do: educate. The PPs are seeing problems with these outside celebrations and are doing something about it. And they are right! No iron fist at all. Quite the opposite, I think.

Jbusuttil

Oct 5th 2009, 17:11

It is not true that limiting 'surprises' decorations pique is going to decrease. Zabbar has these decorations and Hamrun have not but the pique is the same in the two villages. The 'surprise' decorations are artistic and what the church is doing is telling enthusiasts to suppress their artistic minds. On band marches the church must not interfere. To the Curia we meet you at 'the feast envelopes occasion.

D Zahra

Oct 5th 2009, 16:42

A sincere advise to the archbishop. Solvi l-pastazati oxxeni li l-knisja stess, immexxijja minnek (ir-raghaj) u ta qablek , zerghet fir-rahal taz-Zurrieq. Imbgahad tkun tista` tuzgha l-festa sekondarja taz-Zurrieq bhla role model ghal fejn tixtieq li l-festi maltin jaslu. ll-kumitat taghna ilu snin li gharaf li l-motivazzjoni ewlenija tal-festa trid tkun dik religjuza u b`hidma ghaqlija irnexxielu jrawwam kultura ta devozzjoni, dixxiplina u rispett fejn il-prijorita tal-festi esterni hi li jinholoq ambjent denju li fih l-partitarji u familji jkollhom opprtunita jiltaqghu u jiehdu pjacir flimkien f`ambjent xieraq.

Fi-gimgha tal-festa, l-uniku post fejn partitarju tal-festa taghna jhossu skomdu hi l-knisja! Shame on you!!

malcolm seychell

Oct 5th 2009, 16:35

No one shirtless during feasts!!!!! f xi 40 degrees. ghax ma titolbux in nies jibdew johorgu bil burka!!!.

Ara vera il knisja sejra 400 sena lura.

'No band marches may take place while church celebrations are in progress.!!!'

Ahna Malta jew l afganistan qeghdin?

Everyone should be free to celebrate when and were he wants, u mhux xi tghid il kurja

Dr Patrick Attard

Oct 5th 2009, 16:29

Whilst the document seems to be a very good proposal to enjoy the feast whilst respecting the people by imposing time-limits and efforts to reduce piques, I must say I was perplexed when I read this sentence regarding the external activities:

" During that week, no external activities may be held within the parish limits except those organised by the Church authorities and those responsible for the organisation of the feasts."

So if a secular organisation wants to organise a sports-marathon, political gathering, gay parade etc in an other area within the same village, then it is not allowed during this whole week whilst the church feast is taking place. I sincerely hope that I misunderstood this sentence!

JeanKennaugh

Oct 5th 2009, 16:25

l-ewwel nett nixtieq infakkar illi il-festi huma parti mill-kultura taghna il-Maltin, il-festi jghatuna identita, u huma wirt illi hallew il-generazjonijiet ta qabilna, huwa ferm hazin illi nqieghdu il-festi taht theddida, u huwa nuqqas ta maturita illi nissugerixxu sabiex il-festi jigu terminati.

it-tieni hu il-fatt illi il-festi qed jigu meqjusa f'keffa wahda, qisu hemm problemi komuni fil-festi kolla, mentri dan mhux minnu. kull festa anda tigi indirizzata b'mod individwali, il-katatteristici bejn festa u ohra huma different. sabiex verament il-festi jigu restawrati, kull festa ghanda tigi analizata, u punti dwar x'ghandu jsir u ma jsirx iridu jigu diskussi. nemmen illi problema ta festa partikolari, jaf tkun soluzjoni ghal festa ohra. kull organizzazjoni ghanda tiehu sehem f'diskusjoni illi thalli l-frott mistenni, u permezz t'hekk tohrog aktar stampa cara tal-mod kif il festa ser tigi restawrata. j'Alla id-decizjoniet mehuda ma jkomplux jgharqu l-ghaffarijiet prezenti, izda jsahhu l-frott tal-festi.
grazzi.

Mario Attard

Oct 5th 2009, 16:22

In my opinion, the Church authorities should have controlled the situation a long time ago. On the other hand, its better late than never. We have come to the point where morning band marches are nothing but paganism at its best: drunk, semi-nude, vandal and even drugged people roaming the streets! And this is supposed to be in honour of a saint! How can one call that a Christian celebration?
This kind of behaviour reflects the mentality of a large part of the Maltese 'christians'. For them, the Feast is just another opportunity to bash their opponents, get drunk and have a buzz! We have seen this for a long time now. The Church authorities should take this matter seriously and restore the true meaning of Christian worship, worthy of our Lord Jesus Christ!

J Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 15:58

Jiena qrajt u flejt id-dokument mahrug mill-Kurja u sibt li huwa posittiv u fih affarijiet li huma kollha ta' gid ghal kulhadd. U nimmeravilja ruhi naqra l-kummenti stupidi ta' kwazi l-maggoranza ta' dawn l-interventi. Stupidi ghax raw biss l-interessi dojoq taghhom u raw sal-ponta ta' mnehirhom. Fil-fatt kwazi kwazi d-dokument mhu ser ibiddel xejn hlief fejn verament ghandhu bil-haqq jinbidel. Punt ta' partenza huwa li l-festi huma originarjament tal-Knisja u ta' l-ebda Kazin tal-banda jew kumitat tal-festa. Min ma jridx jimxi ma' dawn il-principji kull m'ghandhu jaghmel u li jwarrab minn dak li qed jaghmel u jhalli lil min verament ghandhu ghall-qalbu l-festi jahdem hu. Kummenti banali dwar Malta u Ghawdex huma stupidi ghall-ahhar. Malta hija djocesi u Ghawdex djocesi ghalih. Jarah l-isqof t'Ghawdex li jiena cert li ser jiehu passi huwa wkoll. Jekk irridu nsalvaw il-festi kif nafuhom illum, irridu nimxu mad-direttivi u min mhux lest jaghmel hekk, jaghmel il-wisgha. M'ahniex lesti nafdaw il-futur tal-festi Maltin f'idejn nies irresponsabbli, li ma jaraw sal-ponta t'imnehirhom. Hemm hafna x'wiehed jiddiskuti imma dawn huma l-principji biex il-festi taghna jkunu verament festi nsara ta' kattolici u mhux tal-pagani.

a.camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 15:58

is the church going to shut all bars in villages and towns too during the feast week as there is no money to make out of them?

Chris Fava

Oct 5th 2009, 15:44

It-tmexxija tal-Knisja kellha tibda bil-vera riforma mill-festi interni u timxi sabiex verament timplimenta t-taghlim tas-Sinodu billi l-festi kollha li niccelebraw ikunu verament festa ta' Komunita u mhux festi ta' firda u piki.

Jekk l-Eccelenza Tieghu flimkien mal-Konsulenti tieghu ghadhom ma fehmux li jekk mhux ser jeliminaw kompletament id-differenzi bejn festi primarji u festa sekondarji, l-Knisja xorta ser ikollha tibqa thabbat wicca bil-piki li hergin minn gol-Knisja pero' minn imexxi l-Kurja ma jaghtix daqshekk kaz ghax il-problemi jaffacjhom biss il-Kappillan jekk ikun wiehed ta' l-affari tieghu.

Kullhadd jaf ghalxiex wasslu dawn il-piki fl-ahhar snin bhal perezempju zebliegh lil purcissjoni ta' Korpus Christi - b'Gesu Sagramentat fil-Qrendi, glied u argumenti fil-Knisja taz-Zurrieq, Qrendi u Mqabba b'mod specjali, kliem oxxen miktub u vendikazzjonijiet saru fuq diversi Kappillani, f'diversi postijiet u hafna affarijiet ohra. Dan kollu hu frott tal-piki li l-Knisja Maltija b'dan id-dokument kienet, ghadha u ser tibqa thaddan.

Eccelenza konna qeghdin nistennew xi haga ahjar, pero jekk dan hu l-ahjar li tista toffri nahseb ikun hafna ahjar jekk fejn hemm zewgt festi, il-festi ma jigux iccelebrata aktar biex b'hekk insolvu l-problemi darba ghal dejjem.

Norbert Vella

Oct 5th 2009, 15:38

@ R. Gauci; Jekk jogghbok qabel tikteb iccekkja il-fatti kollha. Ma jfissierx ghax certu postijiet fejn hemm 2 baned hemm l-inkwiet. Jekk gili gejt ghal festa tal-Mellieha taf x'qieghed nghid. ahna ghandna 2 kazini tal-baned u festa titulari 1. Inkwiet ma jkollniex u ikollna festa mill-isbah. Ma tistax titfa lil kulhadd f'keffa wahda.

Ahjar il-knisja tara fejn hemm l-inkwiet, fejn il-festa ma jsirx fi spirtu religjuz u tirranga hemm hekk. Hija ukoll tal-misthija meta tisma li biex iggorr statwa trid thallas Euro 12,000 meta nafu x'ghamel Kristu meta ra in-nies qieghdin ibijaw l-affarijiet hdejn knisja.

R Mallia

Oct 5th 2009, 15:35

Dear Christian Sciberras - Bands are not unnecessary noise but culture and music.

What’s so bad about street decorations? What we are controlling buy saying no one can add decorations....may I ask why some priests this year expressed themselves on newspapers that some churches are poor in decorations???? Is this called co-ordination or even priests are against this document.

Most of policies states that it can be otherwise subject to priest approval. So with the priest approval means that same policy turns into a positive one.

And I agree about the bet at MGARR. Where it is in the document??? It is a 100% exaggeration.

AS USUAL "FEJN JAQBILEK QABEL"

Gordon M Grech

Oct 5th 2009, 15:33

To JOSEPH CASSSAR.
Ghaziz sur Cassar,
Xi jdejqek li fir-Rabat Ghawdex, ma tithalliex banda tghaddi minn fejn kazin jew knisja? Mela xi hadd issa xtara l-art ta barra ta' hdejn il-knisja jew xi kazin!!!!

Nahseb li jekk kulhadd jobdi ir-regolamenti, kollox jista'jsir minghajr ma wiehed iwegga lil hadd. Fuq kollox ma ghadniex 50 sena lura u naseb li sar hawn ferm akbar u aktar responsabilita!!!

Joseph Masini

Oct 5th 2009, 15:31

Well done to the Church and its document. Please note that this is not the final document- only a document being put forward for discussion. I think we all must agree and accept the fact that the Village Feasts were getting out of control, and that regulations like this were imminent. To all of those worrying about tourism, I personally don't think that watching almost naked activists getting drunk and saying all kinds of obscene words is such a great attraction. To all those accusing the Church of crossing the line and imposing decisions on things not its own, please remember that all those things are all sections that originated from the religious feasts.

daniel farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 15:30

In the interview the arcbishop is talking about the hard working people inside the band clubs, and than this document is issued which will stop much of the work. The street decorations and surprises during the band marces are a hobby for hundreds of feast enthusiasts and take lots of their time. what will these people do now???? Maybe they will stay in the band clubs bar drinking beer instead of working on there hobby!!
anither thing I find nothing wrong in positive rivally in feasts, it is part of the tradition. The good points inside this document are about the exagerations in marches, for example excessive alcohol, people without t-shirts, etc..
Please DO NOT DESTROY OUR HOBBY!! let us work for the village we love !!

L Camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 15:30

@M Camilleri - Feasts originate from inside the Church and are meant to honour the patron saint of the town in a civilised way. The Church is not meddling in Carnival festivities here but working to uphold the primary aim of the festa - honouring the patron saint of the town. It has every right to dictate anything that takes place outside the Church purporting to honour the saint. What I do not agree with is stopping morning marches in all localities. Why not only where these are shameful and disgusting? If the Church decides to celebrate these feasts at a lower level and maybe even stopping the processions will the band marches be the same? Or shall the band clubs oppose the church's move? The best feasts are those where Church and Band Clubs work hand in hand.

Joseph Piscopo

Oct 5th 2009, 15:29

I failed to understand how the Curia imposed severe measures on external feast decorations when they are purely of artistic and religious nature. On the other hand it left the conditions of the morning band marches and other things unchanged.

G.Portelli

Oct 5th 2009, 15:25

Secondary feasts should start rejoicing today. What they have crusaded for so long is finally a dream come true. Well done to the clerics who have first made it a point to decorate the church with many giving for a particular feast - pique at its best and now since it is church property: let me quote "All decorations inside churches have to be under the competence of the Church authorities and there can be no restriction on their use". Some nice backstabbing!!

K Farrugia

Oct 5th 2009, 15:12

@Chris Ebejer

Ma nafx qattx irrealizzajt li l-festa hija xi haga li tibda minn gol knisja, mhux mil kazin tar-rahal fejn imorru jixorbu erbgha minn nies bil-virdun taht idejhom. Jekk thoss li l-armar huwa assolutament tieghek (jew ta kazin li nahseb int membru fih), u trid li taghmel li trid bih, missek tuzah ghal xi haga ohra li ma tkunx il-festa tal-knisja Jekk thoss li l-kappillan m'ghandux x'jaqsam mal-armar, ma jmissekx/jmisskomx tarmawh ghal xi haga tal-kappillan tar rahal, imma armawh ghal xi attivita purament tal kazin (ez. xi centinarju tal kazin celebrat barra l-gimgha tal-festa)

P. Bonello

Oct 5th 2009, 15:02

Isn't this somewhat similar to what other religions do: when you have the religious leader of a town/village decide what decorations are hung in the streets and how people conduct themselves during festivities? Rather fundamentalist don't you think? Aren't there enough civil authorities to check what happens in our streets? Does this mean that the Church does not have confidence on the Local Council or the local Police?

A Caruana

Oct 5th 2009, 15:02

I fully agree with those who say that external decorations, the streets and band marches with their whole package do not belong to the church and so they should be allowed to keep going along as long as they have the necessary permits issued by the state. However they shouldn't say that any of these activities are in honour of the saint and anything to do with the church, and so band clubs and other associations may remain using their nicknames but no longer be Kazin/Socjeta...San.....

C Attard

Oct 5th 2009, 14:56

I think that the document issued by the Church, while having good intents, is missing some key legal principles. One key stumbling block is the principle of the right of association of the band clubs of Malta. And the document breaks the right of property in some instances, like when it requires an inventory of external festive decorations to be provided. The festive decorations are paid for, maintained and administered since a very long period of time by the band clubs and so these are their property. The Church has no right to get an inventory of the property of third parties.

Another 'proposal' verging on illegality is that no activities may be allowed during the feast week in the 'territory of the parish'. The parish has no 'territoriality' as far as external activities are concerned and hence what activities may be allowed on public property is to be established by the proprietor of that property, i.e the State and its laws.

Another fallacy is regulating Maltese feasts but not Gozitans. Discrimination between Maltese citizens?

Jmallia

Oct 5th 2009, 14:32

Fl-artiklu ma stajtx nsib ebda regola dwar dawk li jhallsu/jarmu eluf kbar (12,000Eur) ta liri biex jerfghu fil purcissjoni tal-vara. Bilhaqq dan gest religjuz hux, ghax flus tohodhom il-knisja. n

O. Grech

Oct 5th 2009, 14:30

Finally...better late than never. I think that the proposals are valid and safeguard the true meaning of feasts.

My only concern is how will these be enforced. Should a band or external activities organisations fail to keep with these regulations, who will be liable? Will the police be able to stop activities in which pique and rivalry are instilled?

R.Gauci

Oct 5th 2009, 14:16

Nissuggerixxi li f'lokalitajiet fejn hemm zewg baned dawn iridu jew jinghaqdu f'banda wahda nkella kull sena ddoqq biss banda minnhom, skond meta jmisshom. B'hekk il-festa vera tghaqqad u mhux tifred.

Chris Ebejer

Oct 5th 2009, 14:13

L-Aktar viljakka mid dokument hu li l-kappillan se jiehu awtorita assoluta fuq l-armar li hu propjeta tal-kazini, mhux talli hekk, li fi zmien 3 xhur il-kazini jridu jtuh inventarju tal-armar li huwa propjeta assoluta tal-poplu w aktar minn hemm sa 2012 ma jistax jizdied armar IZJED!!!!

Din l-aktar viljakka mid-dokument kollu!
BARRA HU TAL-POPLU MHUX TAL-KNISJA !!
L-ARMAR PROPJETA TAL-POPLU MHUX TAL-KAPPILLAN!!!!

M. Busuttil

Oct 5th 2009, 14:09

X'pajjiz dan imma!! Nixiteq inkun naf kif hawn min kollox idejjqu. L-ezagerazzjoni zejda dejjem hazina imma hawn min vera ma jafx ma xhiex ha jaqbad aktar. Nixtieq inkun naf kif hawn min jista jghid kontra l-festi meta l-kazini jaghtu tant zvog ghal talent fiz-zaghzagh taghna. Nixtieq naf kif business man jista jghaddi jekk il festi jaqalaw daqqa....naghmlu notte bianca kull weekend?? Nixtieq inkun naf turist li jigi Malta fis-sajf x ha noffrulu?? Li naf li hawn minn hu egoist ghax ma jogbuhx il festi allura jghid li hemm kollox hazin fihom!!

Daniel Vella

Oct 5th 2009, 14:07

@ Ch. Vella

In Malta, we can't even separate church and state, how can we possibly expect separation of church and band clubs?

Oscar Cassar

Oct 5th 2009, 14:06

Ma kontx naf li t-toroq li fijhom jsiru l-marcijiet ta' filghodu huma propjeta tal-Knisja. Nemmen li hemm fejn isiru bosta kontrolli izda l-Knisja trid tirrikonoxxi li l-ewwel halliet s-settur jahrab ghal rasu u diversi sacerdoti ma jaghtu kas ta' xejn x'qed jigri fl-ghaqdiet lokali, u issa trid tiddetta fuq kollox u kulhadd. Minn naha l-ohra l-uniku entita li tista' ssalva certu tradizzjonijiet Maltin, kull ma ghamel kien organizza Festa Bnadar.

maria camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 14:05

Fl-ahhar forsi nibdew naraw il-festi religjuzi ta veru bla discos, sorprizi,tghajjir u hamallagni li qed isiru!!!

pierre mifsud

Oct 5th 2009, 14:02

fadal xi haga tajba f dan il pajjiz ha jeqirduwa ukoll..... mela il knisja iddahalom il piki????? ghala ma mxietx ma kulhadd l istess??? bejn titulari u sekondarji arcisqof kellek ic cans u ma hadtux baqa kollox l istess..... taf x ma qrajtx f dan id dikument .. li ma tistax tohrog il ballal tal euros biex terfa f xi vara... ma jaqbillomx imma ghax fl imgarr il knisja balat 12000 euro biex refaw il vara ez ghamlet irkant...... e dawn orajt dawn l affarijiet imsieken dawn mux hela ta flus

M. Camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 14:00

It seems that the church is going into things that are not its realm. Outside festivties are controlled by the Police and not by the church and trying to impose rules where it is not legally competent to do them is counter-productive. Probably some band clubs will still apply for and get a permit to hold band marches or other activities even if the church says no as it is not up to the church to issue such permits.

Anthony Mercieca

Oct 5th 2009, 13:54

Better late than never. However, I do not find too much excitement in what is being proposed. The emphasis are to regulate behaviour, which only confirms the negative way we celebrate religious feasts here. It's long that fiestas have lost their spiritual substance. I did expect more clear and understandable recommendations set in a clear and modern language for everyone to understand. Nowhere do I see suggestions for fiestas to be really inclusive especially for those who are really on the periphery of society. I don't want to sound fundamentalist or expect to change the character of celebration but the experience and beauty to faith appear to have become well substituted by the bands and fireworks and have suffocated and destroyed the reality of a loving and caring God, and whose Spirit is manifested in humans we call saints. Often our fiestas express the contrary to what they actually mean - our transaction from this worldly life to a sanctified live with our Creator and Saviour. I did expect that this document, issue the day after the feast of St. Francis on Assisi, would include and reflect somehow this great Christian saint in the proposals

Andre` Micallef

Oct 5th 2009, 13:43

As regards fireworks, I've got the feeling that everything's going to remain the same: the summer long bombardment from those hideous petards is set to continue at full blast, it seems. I would like to stress that I'm not against the colourful firework displays, but against the earth-shaking and heart-stopping aerial bombs. The Church, by merely insisting on prudence (as has already been done before) is still not guaranteeing that the law will be adhered to. Either the law is applied to the full (with transgressors having to bear the full brunt of it should the need arise) or else permits for letting off of fireworks should be withheld. Period. I simply do not bear to think of the hell my poor elderly and sick mother (and my heart goes out to all others who are going through an affliction in life) will go through for another long hot summer. But I sincerely hope that matters do improve in this field.

I would like to conclude that I happen to love feasts, but my focus of attention are the church functions, the decorations within the church and in the streets, and a dignified band march.

Kevin C.

Oct 5th 2009, 13:39

I fail to understand why no further decorations may be added. The street decorations are an essential part of the feast culture and tradition. Why should a coounity be stopped from ordering a new set of statues to decorate thier street?

Mario Micallef

Oct 5th 2009, 13:35

@ Joe Camilleri...with a single statement you are trying to erase a tradition old hundreds of years...very intelligent...please when you talk look at facts before!

JOSEPH CASSAR

Oct 5th 2009, 13:34

Mela tajjeb, l-Arcisqof ta' Malta preokkupat bil-marc li jghaddi min quddiem il-kazin ta haddiehor u f'Ghawdex l-Isqof ihalli il-marc ta filghodu jghaddi u JIEQAF GHAL HIN TWIL quddiem il-KNISJA ta' l-ohrajn u alla jbierek qisu qatt ma gara xejn.
Se naraw lill-Isqof t'Ghawdex jiehu xi azzjoni????????????????

Kurt Scerri

Oct 5th 2009, 13:30

Nixtieq nistaqsi lil fr. Gouder jekk qabel hareg id-dokument gewx investigati festa wara ohra.

Mhux naqbdu u niggeneralizzaw u noholqu regoli li ser jghinu certu festi filwaqt li jkissru festi illi ghadhom qed jikbru.

Nahseb illum il-gurnata l-knisja ghanda tifhem illi ghanda il-limiti sa fejn tista tasal u tiehu hsieb li zzom maghhom. Maghdux zmien L-arcisqof Gonzi!

Grazzi

Andrea Portelli

Oct 5th 2009, 13:29

Good... about that time that the clerical authorities did something to curb this nonsense and ignorance brought about by the clique of local morons

Paul Bugeja

Oct 5th 2009, 13:16

@joe camilleri

Sur Camilleri il punt tieghek huwa bla sens u invalidu ghal l ahhar. Hawn festi li ghandhom festa titulari biss u jiggieldu bejnithom xorta . Jekk inehhu il festi secondarji iktar ikun hawn glied. Jekk vera iridu inaqsu il glied l ewwel m ghanda tamel il knisja tghati ezempju u tnaqqas il pika go dara stess . Thallatx il festi ta San Giljan ma rhula ohra ax qisek qed thallat il hass mal baaaaa.

Victor Testa

Oct 5th 2009, 13:14

Nixtieq insaqsi lill-Kura ghalfejn qed tipproponu dawn il-policies, u minflok qbadtu u ghidtu pubblikament biex il-poplu ma jaghtiex flus lill-Kazini izda jtuhom lill-Knisja!! Qed tahsbu li peress li ha tipprovaw tnaqqsu l-ispejjez ta' l-armar, in-nies ha taghti donazzjoni lill-knisja?? Issa jtukom in-nies.....................!!!!!!

Patrick Bellia

Oct 5th 2009, 13:14

I am not nvolved in feast activities but i have read this article, this article is intended to kill the feasts, u have mentioned many things like: Those responsible for the band marches must also ensure that no one is shirt-less. The document lays down that the feast covers one week, including the feast day proper. During that week, no external activities may be held within the parish limits except those organised by the Church. In giving its warning on the morning band marches, the document also says that the morning band marches must not be longer than four hours and the route should not pass in front of rival clubs. No band marches may take place while church celebrations are in progress

One thing you have forgot in this document, that of allowing betting to carry the statue, or u left it out of this document because the church is getting a revenue? Remember that many feast are done because people contribute in the envelopes that u send in homes, without those even the internal feast u dont make. So I begin from next year i put my envelope in the dust bin, a country dominated by the church

Christian Sciberras

Oct 5th 2009, 13:13

And about time. Good to see this document finally published.

@Ch Vella - What's the point of having feasts in a eg, Muslim country?
The most important authority concerning feasts, IS THE CHURCH not BAND CLUBS. Band clubs just add the occasional spice to my frustration at the UNNECESARY noise they so much ENCOURAGE.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

N.Calleja

Oct 5th 2009, 12:59

From the look of things these new regulations are very positive and should instil much needed discipline during parish feasts. One other thing that should have been recommended is that the police should not close important arteries hours before the passing of marches because this is creating great disruption in heavy traffic roads. A few minutes are enough to close these roads before marches pass through. In the Sliema/St.Julian's area we have six feasts during summer, almost one every week and traffic slows down immensely

Johann Cardona

Oct 5th 2009, 12:56

Komplu sejrin hekk.... and before you know it you will end up with an obsolete, in-adequate, old and empty church; from this document it is evident that our clerics prefer having religious celebrations held in empty churches, i guess the census on church attendances wasn't enough of an eye opener. Pity the church in Malta is incapable of addressing its own skeletons in the cupboard before and prefers to point fingers and throw stones..... really feels like we are in the 15th century.

Having said this it doesn't mean i am in favour of "Exagerations" and acts which divided rather than unite far from it but i would a rather prefer a church which educates than one which uses an iron fist and threatens. That's what i call leading by example

Claire Busuttil

Oct 5th 2009, 12:47

Nixtieq nighd lil arcisqof, biex jipprova inaqas mil egojismu li isir fil festi maltin insara. Dan jista isir billi-

1. Storbju zejjed- N nar u storbju iehor ghandu jigi imwaqqaf f hin decenti u mhux fis sijat bikrin ta filghodu.

2. L-armar tal festi ma ghandux itelef lil hadd billi ikompli hajtu normali anke fil jien tal festa- qed nighd dan ghax mhux l ewwel darba li kelli inizel persuna bil wheelchair li tigi minni min fuq il bankina, ghax fin nofs jitpogga arblu fin nofs taghha.
Parking bays mehudin min armar, anke sa gimghat wara il festa.

Sa fejn naf jien ir religjom nisranija, tiprinda r rispett lejn il proxxmu, allura ghalfejn meta jigu c celebrati il festi , qisha dil haga tintnesa?

D. Xuereb

Oct 5th 2009, 12:43

At last!

Ch Vella

Oct 5th 2009, 12:42

I’m not involved in any feast activity, but it looks like the church is trying to take control of things which they should leave up to band clubs to handle. Instead of consulting those involved in every village or town specifically they are imposing rules not even guidelines on everyone . I believe it’s time to separate the church from the band clubs. There’s even the business community of the village or town what about them?

Joe Camilleri

Oct 5th 2009, 12:12

L-ewwel pass hu li jnehhu is-secondarji!!!! Izda milli jidher mhux hekkF' San Giljan ghalekk ma jkunx hawn glied.