'You cannot serve both God and money' - bishops

Notary Joseph Henry Saydon

Dec 1st 2009, 15:31

One of the comments quotes Notaries asking testators: "Int ser tahseb ghal ruhhek?" As a practicing Notary I always ask this question. There is nothing wrong in asking it. There are different ways "biex tahseb ghal ruhhek", leaving a legacy with the proper intention to a pious foundation (Dar tal Kleru, Radio Maria, Dar tal Providenza etc), is tantamount to "tahseb ghal ruhhek". The most common practice is for the testator to order to the heir to see that a sum of money is deposited with the Parish Priest as "elemosina" for the celebration of masses. I do not see any reason for the ironic remarks against the centuries old practice rooted in the Maltese people's Catholic culture.

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 30th 2009, 22:23

@C.Zarb.

Thank you for being polite, for me its a pleasure to see people who share their intelligent opinions with others in a civilised manner.

May I quote you : "I guess that the only way the church has to truly understand what it means to raise children in today's world is to leave their golden gilded palaces, start earning a living and raise their own children."

In Germany, the Lutherian Church does indeed allow priests (both female and male) to marry, and form their own family. I find this really fascinating and I am in agreement. I have also known cases of Divorced Priests too !!! I wouldn`t even dare tackle this subject matter here !!!

Yes, I do agree as I seriously think that emotional connection parents have with their own offspring is also divine, to say the least.

Jesmond Micallef

C.ZARB

Nov 30th 2009, 09:29

@ Jesmond Micallef

With all due respect but the crude fact is that for many people CHILDREN ARE EXPENSIVE. We are already overburdened with house loans, bills and responsabilities (such as giving money for single mothers/immigrants to raise their own children) that we are barely left with money to build our family. Now of course you can have children and give them the minimum possible, which will mean lesser chances for them to succeed in life. Stating that, is that what you would call a responsible action?

I guess that the only way the church has to truly understand what it means to raise children in today's world is to leave their golden gilded palaces, start earning a living and raise their own children. We all know that Jesus had made no rule against priests marrying and have families of their own and yet strangely enough the church refuses to give such 'luxury' to its priests/nuns. Could it be because it would be too expensive for the church to finance such right? Think about it.

Alexander Morana

Nov 29th 2009, 22:58

It's incredible the Holier than thou never stop to amazes us. If they expect us to give up our indulgences in money why should the Curia than expect the government to subside their schools with out taxes?
One more nail in their credibility coffin, I guess?

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 29th 2009, 21:19

Ups Lapsus !! , sorry, I forgot to mention the all too important - Capitalism - in relation to my comment.

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 29th 2009, 20:45

Europe. Take Germany for example, Europes biggest economy. With due respect but I call Germany "DEUTSCHLAND GMBH" - Europe's Biggest Bank Account !! Here politicians speak of Technological Innovation, OK, no problem, I do consider Germany on grounds of Environmental Technologies as an example to the rest of the world. But I do also expect "POLITICAL INNOVATION" from Germany. What do I mean. Simple really, Germany is a country that knows what dictatorship means - Wether Fascism or Communism - It knows them both. For me Germany has the potential to re-invent the political wheel.

Now back to the subject matter, we humans have politics but also beleifs. Beleifs gives us Morals, our values, our principles that makes us different from any other "animal", if I may say so. I ask German people about having children, I have been given answers such : "No way babies are so expensive" !!! I feel uncomfortable with this. PEOPLE RELATE PROCREATION TO MONEY. It is indeed a very sad reality. So may I dare to ask : "Has this got to do with Politics" ?

God Bless his Holliness Pope Benedict XVI.

renald williams

Nov 29th 2009, 15:28

Maybe if we serve Christ as our Name, Mediator, Advocate and Who intercedes for us, maybe our priorities would get better. Peace and health to all www.tecmalta.org/blata.htm

Michael Neville Cassar

Nov 29th 2009, 14:28

To the commentators who mentioned money. Money was mentioned only as an example one must choose between the teaching of Jesus and what is good. and the way of life that some of us are living. Where everything goes such as swearing, hating, indifference to people sufferings, hungry, stealing adultery sex without marriage, sodomy, etc.

Joe Grima

Nov 29th 2009, 12:13

The Bishops should first read this letter to themsleves iin fornt of a mirror before admonishing others. How would the C|hurch react if we had to wihdraw the money quotient from jts reigious actvities? Is teh Church now going to kliquidate all of its investments in comanies and commerrcial entreprises worldwide? Hunmbug Bishops! Just rhertoric for a Sunday chat

Miguel Micallef

Nov 29th 2009, 11:43

"the bishops made it clear that people had to choose - they could not avoid Jesus and their faith yet still call themselves "Christians, just because they were baptised"

If this were to happen, finally we would see if the majority is Christian or not in Malta :)

Charles Grech

Nov 29th 2009, 11:19

Jekk tistudjaw x' jghid Fr. Mark Montebello taraw li ghandu hahna ragun.

Charles Sammut

Nov 29th 2009, 11:01

Do Their Graces remember the days when notaries engaged to write out testaments, would ask their client "U x'ser tahseb ghal ruhek?"

The Church cannot disassociate itself from this disgusting practice because it used to pay out a commission to notaries based on whatever was bequeathed to the Church - ghal ruhhom.

Bil-flus titla l-Genna u tifranka xeba nar tal-Purgatorju.

adrian aquilina

Nov 29th 2009, 11:00

seems the church are being as hypocritical as usual.......

malcolm seychell

Nov 29th 2009, 10:13

Maybe it is time the church gives out all its assets and money to the poor

CFarrugia

Nov 29th 2009, 10:09

u meta jigu l kontijiet x'naghmlu ma nhallsuhomx?

Joe E Galea

Nov 29th 2009, 09:36

The point is that Christ's teaching are based on love and not on rules and discrimination.