Church document 'putting all feasts in one basket'

The church’s document on feasts was creating a strict regulatory system putting all feasts all in one basket, the Ghaqda Nazzjonali Armar tal-Festi fit-Toroq has concluded.

In a document with its reaction, presented this morning, the organisation said it felt that negative general measures should not be taken to abolish practices which were being abused by some.

In its document, the church failed to consider the historic development of feasts incorporating folkloristic and traditional, as well as the social and economic aspects.

Moreover, it could not agree that feasts were the sole competence of ecclesiastical authorities.

The organisation said that although the church’s document should have been a consultative one, it sounded authoritarian and showed signs of threats and blackmail.

Such methods could push away from the church loyal people.

The church’s argued that preparatory meetings had already been held with certain sections and it was now time to take action. It seemed, however, that not all the stakeholders involved were consulted before the document was published.

The organisation asked if the document was the result of fiascos in the administration of certain parishes, rather than a necessity.

It argued that the church’s proposal to curtail feast decorations had shocked many because these had never been considered a controversial or polemical.

Particular cases could be tackled at a parish level, it said.

It added that a lot of street decorations were paid by the community to be enjoyed during that community’s feast. So respect should be shown to the wishes of benefactors.

Moreover, it could not agree with the document that street decorations were the competence of the church.

It agreed on the need of an insurance policy but said this was a matter which should be discussed in more detail.