Papal visit to cost Church some €500,000

Daniel Goggi

Mar 25th 2010, 22:59

@ K J Vella

Are you serious??? I'm sorry but I couldn’t finish reading the article, so pathetic. This lady gets pregnant once, twice, three times, four and then 5 times.. From 3 different men in her life. This lady clearly has no idea on sex education/family planning and if she does she clearly has no intention on using these skills. There is plenty of help from both state and church authorities. Re. this matter, Appogg have excellent counsellors and professionals. Hence the name Appogg!

Stop bringing such pathetic arguments... what's lacking in society now a days is values, self control, respect towards others and the community, responsibility and a truck load of other things.... Many people (and I say many because I still know a few good people around) have lost all their senses..

What's worse! if people point their fingers towards people who lack responsibility and are posing an extra burden on society.. then we are heartless people.

What’s pathetic is trying to blame the church for hosting THE event... the Vicar of Christ coming to Malta. If people had to follow his exemplary life.. oh! oh! oh! we would have so many less problems around!

carole lauria

Mar 25th 2010, 22:59

Typical of the Roman Catholic Church - squandering money when it could be used to feed the needy. Jesus was not one for money - He gave what He had to the needy. Is the Roman Catholic Church doing this? - one wonders. To all those who insist the Church is doing so much good - no doubt about that - but so much more can be done. The Roman Catholic Church has riches beyond dreams and can feed the needy over and over. That's what Christ would have done - so chew on that ! Please SEE THE LIGHT.

K J Vella

Mar 25th 2010, 20:13

Letter to the Church Dear Archbishop, Have a look at this please and do something about it rather than squandering the money for a two day papal visit. Surely Benedict will understand and wouldn't mind roughing it up for a couple of days so that this lady can have a decent home for herself and her children. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100325/local/living-in-abject-poverty

Pule' Carmel

Mar 25th 2010, 18:27

Surely the Waterfront at Valletta is not adequate for such a visit. It is so narrow a strip, with one side walled up by high building, so useless for the crowd, and the widest part is in deep water on which people cannot stand unless you can float on a boat. I think the organisers are more interested to hide the Pope for security reason that open up the venue for the people to see the Pope.

Milena Aguis

Mar 25th 2010, 17:29

After reading most of the comments ,quotes and all he rest I only have one thing to say...its no use comparing the church to what ppl spend their money on...its useless quoting Jesus Christ..etc etc...THE CHURCH SHOULD PRACTICE WHAT IT PREACHES IT SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE....i cannot imagine a Jesus Christ accepting such a scandalous amount of money spent on him Shame Shame Shame...and all those people in need.... M.Aguis

Bernard J Schranz

Mar 25th 2010, 16:48

I am not against the Pope receiving a nice and deserving welcome since after all the church and all loyal followers believe that he represents Christ himself.

So following in this vein, I would imagine that the Pope himself would be opposed to such a frivolous expense and instead would probably be more inclined to share this money with our brethren less fortunate and in need. After all this is only for a one day activity.

I think that sometimes we have a warped sense of judgement and a very strange way of interpreting things.

RGatt

Mar 25th 2010, 15:51

@ Melvin Borg - you got your math wrong Melvin. It should be 25,000. I still believe it's a total waste of money. Then they ask for donations for their schools, and missionaries are forever collecting for American, African and other 3rd world countries. It's not that we should not help these countries, but €500,000 would have gone a long way in such poverty instead of spending them on a papal visit.
@ D Azzopardi - qieghed thallat il hass mal 'bus'.

ray sacco

Mar 25th 2010, 15:01

the catholic church can do what it pleases with it's money. it's surely not mine! but what interests me is how much money is the governement forking out from our pockets for this useless visit?

R Xerri

Mar 25th 2010, 13:46

Waste of time, money and resources. The Church must help the poor and lead by example of not wasting money!! 500,000 Euro to get the Pope to Malta and to what good? Will this end world poverty? will this help the economical crises? will this create more jobs? Most of us will be working on the day so why all this? for the house wives and children and for the priests and nuns.

If the Church worldwide had to sell their properties (the ones that they do not use - not churches and convents) then the world can end poverty! Feed and give shelter, education and medicine to the 3rd world countries. Why not use their money to end all this suffering?

Ernest Vella

Mar 25th 2010, 13:41

@ C.Cassar - Kristu fl-Evangelju nsibuh jghid "Hadd ma kkundannak mara, lanqas jien...MUR U TIDNIBX AKTAR"

@ Wera Il-flus li jingabu gall-Vatikan, imorru ghall-ghajnuniet ta karita li l-Knisja ghanda madwar id-dinja u huwa haga tal-misthija li ssibu raguni tant sabiha biex tghajru l-Knisja meta kien il-President George Abela nnifsu f'isem il-poplu malti li stieden lill-Papa jigi Malta, mhux biss bhala Kap ta Stat u bhala Vigarju ta' Kristu imma wkoll b'qima lejn dak li jaghmel il-Papa.

@ Alison Bezzina...dak kollu li qieghed tghid il-Knisja ila taghmlu 2000 sena min nies li taw hajjithom bla ma qatt pretendew hlas. Li tikkritika l-Knisja hija ingrattitudni ghal hidma li bosta nies jaghmlu f'isem il-Knisja b'sagrificcju ta hajjihom u ta flushom u ta hinhom li zgur inti wkoll kont li bbenefikajt b'xi mod jew iehor...imqar meta kont zghir u sibt minn prova jghallmek.

Keith D'Amato sewwa qal...mur ara kieku kemm nghidu jekk xi haga ma tmurx ghal ghajna...hawn min mhux interessat...ma jimpurtax....isir xorta...kemm hela ta flus fuq affarijiet li ma qbiltx....wahda li rrid jien ha ssibu zejda?

John O Scerri

Mar 25th 2010, 12:25

€ 500,000 .My God ........ Where did these come from ?

Does the church really need the Govt to contribute to church schools out of taxes paid by people who do not have their children attending church schools.

How about if the money was distributed to dar il- providenza and other charity homes for the aged and disabled.

I am not against the Pope visiting Malta. But could it have been less expensive?

So much for istrina - this is what they say in Maltese 'Kapricc'

George S Darmanin

Mar 25th 2010, 10:28

To those very pure people criticising the Church not to lead by example:

John 12: 3-7

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.b” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Wera S

Mar 25th 2010, 10:24

I know that it is not Razinger who invented this duality of the function, but it just makes my point. When it suits Church, Vatican can be state, spiritual movement, or global mega corporation making profit all over the world… all these definitions which contradict each others, but hey, since it is the one who is setting the rules The Church is pardoned from all controversy. At the end, why not? Isn't all clergy married to the Church….oooops, wait, wasn’t marriage term strictly reserved for man-woman union?

Wera S

Mar 25th 2010, 10:20

I cannot agree more. But regardless form Popes personal opinion about gays, Jews, and other controversial issues, I cannot but wander:
• If the Pope visit is as spiritual leader, than purpose of his visit is strictly of religious nature and therefore it should be entirely and solely paid by followers of same religion.
• If his visit is as a head of another state, than as all other state visits, it should be mainly paid from his state treasury. Standard procedure as security, etc should be borne by visiting country, assuming again that it is standard procedure for all state visits. BUT THERE IS A TWIST(as Alan Montanaro would say)! Which other state assumes that its income can be freely collected within jurisdiction of another country and out of pockets of citizens of that other country? …Or it is assumed that all Catholics have dual citizenship and therefore can benefit out of it by acquiring Vatican Passport and, under protection of Vatican state, travel all over the Globe without need for visa.

Alison Bezzina

Mar 25th 2010, 10:07

I would like my tax money to go towards the creation of a decent animal shelter so that we can have a better option than to leave stray animals starving on our streets.

I would like my tax money to go towards improving the state of tent city so that my children learn that every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and that fundamental human rights are not something to toy around with.

In short like my tax money to go towards making people’s lives better, to reduce suffering, discrimination and hate.

And I’m pretty sure that if we listened well, this is what God would want too....and not €750,000 spent on a marketing campaign in his name!

But there’s one golden rule that is never broken....he who has the gold makes the rules!!!

Pity it's my gold too!

Alison Bezzina

Mar 25th 2010, 10:06

Not with my tax money!

Just like C. Cassar I am proud not to have contributed 1c to the Church for as long as I can remember....but because I have a preference towards freedom versus a prison cell I diligently pay my taxes.

I have always been ready to close an eye (and a half) on the fact that my tax money is sometimes spent on luxurious trips by members of parliament & paying off unruly bus drivers, BUT NOT on this papal farce!

I don’t want my tax money to finance the Church’s marketing campaign!

I would like my tax money to go towards a decent court system which does not abuse its citizens.

I would like my tax money to go towards educating close minded bigots who think that gays and lesbians are second class citizens.

I would like my tax money to go towards a decent Education System so that our children are not harassed, bullied and stressed out by the system itself.

I would like my tax money to go towards the creation of a decent animal shelter so that we can have a better option than to leave stray animals starving on our streets.

Clint Muscat

Mar 25th 2010, 08:54

Jista kulhadd jerfa salibu?!!!

GHaliex dal-ghageb kollu kontra l-knisja?!

L-aktar affarjiet hziena li tara f'haddiehor x'aktarx ikunu l-akbar djghufijiet tieghek!! (proved scientifically)

U din tghodd ghal-kulhadd! anke ghall-qassisin li jiggudikaw!!!

Imma tghodd ghalina wkoll...mar-rridux niggudikaw il knisja...ghax hemm qassisin li jiggudikawk... u hemm ohrajn li jghinuk tkun xi tkun is sitwazzjoni tieghek...u ma taghmilx differenza ghalihom jekk tkunx gay separat ghamilt abort etc.

Jien sibt minn prova jiggudikani ghal-affarjeit li ghandi differenti min haddiehor, izda kull meta fittixt l-ghajnuna mil-knisja dejjem hadtha anke jekk mhux minghand kullhadd!!

Meta hassejtni inutli u iddisprat, sa hadta kontra Alla u iddubitajt dwar lezistenza tieghu. social worker kompla kissirni...tal familja l istess...hbieb mhux anqas, izda mil-esperjenza tieghi nista nghid li bis-sahha tal-ghajnuna li offrietli l knisja permezz ta katekist partikolari u qassis tal parrocca, ergajt gejt fuq saqajjha u nemmen fija innifsi.

Jekk qabel iggudikajta l-knisja issa nahsiba mod iehor, u nghid ahna lkoll midimbin, kemm jekk naqblu mal-knisja u kemm jekk ma naqblux, u jekk qed tahseb li l knisja tiggudikak, l-ewwel halliha tahdem fik, (fittex l-ghajnuna taghha) u zgur li ghanda x'toffrilek!!

Hobbu l'Gesu l-ahwa!

C Cassar

Mar 24th 2010, 20:48

I am consoled at the fact that I have not paid a dime in contribution to the church in as long as I can recall. For the church, as a gay person I am only 'tolerated' as long as I don't engage in caring for a person of my same sex and thus 'live in sin'. Firstly I thought that Christ was all about love, so why does the Catholic church abohr my behaviour when I do not negatively affect those around me? Secondly why should I pay from my taxpayer's money for a 'state visit' for someone who categorically despises people like me and does not even practice what he ought to preach and reach out and try to understand before condemning my private behaviours? I cannot understand how people still follow the church's teachings when its leader is so intolerant ... I leave you with one final thought Rattzinger said 'saving humanity from homosexuality was just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction' .. see http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5388920.ece ...is this tolerance? or is he just a joke!? What about human rights and non-discrimination?

Sarah Camilleri

Mar 24th 2010, 14:17

I really don't see the point of all this grumbling - it's obvious that the Pope needs to be given high-security protection. Plus anyone who's ever organised a massive event knows how much such activities cost just to run smoothly and to be safe for the public.

Marton Saliba

Mar 24th 2010, 11:11

@the replyers of 'kids are getting hungry'

Look , a person can work, gain money and spends it on what he wants (free will remember?). The church asks that we do charity and all the things considered with solidarity. So why it doesn't start from the church in itself rather then spending the money on a trivial contruction like so.

"I call it the one great blemish on the human race" -Gaahl

Carmel Garcia

Mar 24th 2010, 10:00

I repeat, "Maltese Gerger, Maltese gemgem". White painted tombs. How much do you spend in discos, vacations, cenema, IT's, automibiles, weekend breaks, sports and many other things. Just don't spend them and start you yourselves to help those in need. The Catholic church always helped in Malta first and all over the world by missineries, donations. Irridu naghmlu ta' biruhna li nsejna x'ghamlet il-knisja ghal dawk fil-bzonn, miljuni ta' liri u ghajnuna ohra. Oqbra mbajda, ibdew intom l-ewwel ha naraw sa fejn taslu meta tigu biex iddahhlu jdejkom fil-but.

DAVID PELLEGRINI

Mar 24th 2010, 09:42

Let me see if the Church was some sort of a popular performer, etc, he will anticipate that as said there will be some 50000 for his concert, so a simple mathematical sum, for you dear readers!!! If the cost is 500000 euro divide it by the people attending the concert and that comes to 10 euro each person , not to say for other occasions, just take a single occasion to make it simple, Dont you think that these 50000 will not go for 10euro to see the Pope. even for a bit more! I think every performer that came to these shores charged a bit more, Dont you think Dear fellows. So dont stick Dirt, Keep It to your Mouths!!!

Andrew Calleja

Mar 24th 2010, 09:15

So this year we will be told ChurchMalta plc made a loss of X million euro so don't forget to give generously so next time it will be wasted in some other form. One wonders if ChurchMalta plc accounts take in consideration fixed assets or is it simply cash in aginst cash out to reach a loss! To those who justify this expense by comparing aginst other organised events this is insane as organised events do not preach humility but are business stunts. Does it make sense in an era of mass communication for the pope to actually come to Malta when Vatican TV can just put on a show from the vatican for Malta!
Can anyone enlighten me what benefit this visit will have as till now it seem it is negative advertising to Church plc

A.Chetcuti

Mar 24th 2010, 07:39

Its sickening that there are people in need of that money while they go and squander it like that. I guess the omnipresence of the church in Malta has taught us prioritization, the roman catholic way. Well done Maltese! Well done Humanity!

Anthony Pace Gouder

Mar 24th 2010, 03:47

It would have been WISER of the Pastoral Secretary not to divulge the COST at all .

Amazingly this expenditure is for the Mass , a meeting with Young people and a Visit to St. Paul's Grotto ! Christ"s Sermon on the Mount comes to my mind . Zero expense .

Seems voluntary work is hard to come by these days

Spicca dak iz-zmien li wiehed joffri l-ghajnuna sinciera , senza interressi ! Jahasra , kemm konna tfal tajbin .

J. Pace

Mar 24th 2010, 00:33

€500,000 ???? Minn ma jemminx bhali u jara dal-figuri tal-biza itkar jitlef l-fiducja f'minn suppost jaghti ezempju. U ma semmewx l-figura li ha johrog l-stat - mhux xi €500,000 tghid ?

'Lead by example' jghidu. Imbaghad tistghageb ghala hawn nies ipokriti. No wonder!!!

U allahares biex tidhol l-genna (jekk tezisti) l'entry requirements ikunu 'kemm il darba mort quddies, jekk mortx tara papa, kemm xewwixt fuq in-nies, kemm qlajt glied fil-vojt, kemm ghirt ghal ta hdejk jew xi hadd tal-familja, kemm sraqt nies bil-pulit, ma accetajtx l-guvni tat-tfalja fid-dar tieghek ghax forsi ftit handikappat' etc. etc. fimtuni x'irrid nghid, lista wisq twila. Imma laqwa li mmorru quddies l-Hadd - dik importarti ghax qabel, WAQT u wara l-quddiesa nista nzekzek u nnemmes fuq in-nies..


@Melvin Borg - well said

J. Grech

Mar 23rd 2010, 23:57

500,000 EUR for the church is peanuts......gabra "specjali" ta nhar ta hadd u lesta l-affari!!.......I bet the church has more capital in hand than our government!!!

A. Scicluna

Mar 23rd 2010, 20:16

what a complete disgrace that the church is splashing out 500,000 euros and then they put on a brave face to state that their last financial year the curia made a loss. Shame on the bishops who then sarcasticlly state the poverty level in Malta and how us Maltese should help them. Nothing more than A bunch of Hypocrites.

Claire Busuttil

Mar 23rd 2010, 18:54

@Matthew Azzopardi-
Can't you please people stop grumbling. You are all brainwashed against that insttiution that for ages and still does, anticpated, every form of goverment and social group , in feeding the poor. Who thought to the world to feed the poor, to built hospitals, to cure the sick, to found schools for education, to teach people a way of living.

Il Knisja sinjura, u ghandha hafna flus, meta fid dinja hawn il faqar. IL fatt li semmejt li il knisja ghenet dejjem lil foqra ecc ecc.....kun ghaf li mhux bilfors tkun membru ta din l istituzzjoni, biex tighn lil haddiehor, u ftakar ukoll, li mhux billi tparla, ir religjon nisranija , u specjalment t taghlim ta Kristu, huma hafna il boghod, min dawn l eluf, li jigu konessi mal knisja!!.....

andreana attard

Mar 23rd 2010, 18:28

After clicking on the headline"Man lives in cave and goes to Caritas to shower" and then on this piece, i felt quesy.

Nigel Lawrence

Mar 23rd 2010, 17:49

Half a million €'s for a quick visit- that's obscene.

Matthew Azzopardi

Mar 23rd 2010, 17:32

Can't you please people stop grumbling. You are all brainwashed against that insttiution that for ages and still does, anticpated, every form of goverment and social group , in feeding the poor. Who thought to the world to feed the poor, to built hospitals, to cure the sick, to found schools for education, to teach people a way of living. This is a serious sin of yours forgetting. Its better if you all start reflecting a little bit what you have received from the church. There are so many istitutions that waist money in crap.. If Christ has to come today you will all Kill him in name of money. Being a Christian is not being poor or homeless, but in having hi same spirit. Don't be eluded by the fact that Christ was a poor man, cos he wasn't go and read the gospels he used to go and dine with the most rich. What is really needed today is an initiation to faith because nobody has it any more. What the church is in custody no other reality has it and that is eternal life.

D Agius

Mar 23rd 2010, 17:27

Ma nahsibx li fl-ahhar mill-ahhar il-Hallieq tassew irid li ammonti ta' flus jintefqu hekk meta hawn dal-faqar kollu fid-dinja, inkluz f' Malta.

J. Micallef

Mar 23rd 2010, 17:19

Min hu mejjet ghal-qatra, u min hu mejjet fis-sakra.

Ahjar ikkumpensaw lil dawk it-tfal li gew abbuzati mirr-rapprezentanti tal-knisja bihom dawk il-500,000, u jekk jibqa zejjed ituhom lil min hu vera bil-guh. Ghandu bzonn imur wasla sa Haiti benedittu eee..... forsi tniggsu il-kuxjenza.

U b'din l'attitudni il-knisja tista tghid li bil-mod il-mod qieghda titlef in-nies, u hafna wkoll, ghax il-generazzjoni il-gdida m'ghadhomx boloh u jibilghu kollox.

Imma noqodu attenti meta nghidu li madniex kattolici, ghax inkella jitkazaw bina u iwissuna li ha jkollna l'infern u li ta' denbu twil jistenniena.

stephen baldacchino

Mar 23rd 2010, 17:07

Just had to say this:

" HOW MANY STARVING PEOPLE COULD GET A NICE MEAL WITH THESE MONEY "

joe muscat

Mar 23rd 2010, 16:49

Sewwa jghid il Malti Tghix hajja ta Papa, dawn il flus kollha ghal sempliciment zjara

H. Camilleri

Mar 23rd 2010, 16:23

Well said @ f Zammit

Is-sorprizi tana d deletanti tal festi jaraw zejda... u n nar.
€500,00, come on!

Nicki Hartmann

Mar 23rd 2010, 16:21

I think, first the pope should say official "sorry" and pay compensation money to the victims worldwide of child abuse through catolic priests and bishops !!!!!!!!!!

Wayne Hewitt

Mar 23rd 2010, 16:21

'Poor' church....

Claire Busuttil

Mar 23rd 2010, 16:03

Min ghandu il bzar ha iroxxu!!!....Biex naraw, kemm il knisja ghandha flus....!!! Viva il valuri

John Azzopardi

Mar 23rd 2010, 15:34

I was under the impression that the Church was in financial dire straits only last year. What happened? I am sure Christ would not have approved of this extravagance when the money could have been used to assist children in poverty. Only last week Mons, Victor Grech was saying how much hidden poverty there is in Malta. And here comes the Maltese Church splashing half a million on such frivolities and extravagance. I wonder which version of the Christian religion does the Malta Church follow. Surely not one of poverty and compassion preached by Christ.

G.Micallef

Mar 23rd 2010, 15:30

Poplu li ma jafx ma jgergirx! Poplu li jgerger jekk ma jkollux ghalfejn igerger!

Michael Formosa

Mar 23rd 2010, 15:14

Nofs miljun qed narawhom zejda u 80 miljun biex naghmlu paprata fid-dahla tal-Belt m'humiex? Wiehed qal "Hallu kollox u ejjew warajja" u Gonzi jghid "Tuni kollox u ibqghu warajja".

F. Zammit

Mar 23rd 2010, 15:12

L-armar,s-sorprizi u n-nar raw zejjed il knisja.

J.Borg

Mar 23rd 2010, 15:10

Haga wahda nixtieq nigbed L-attenzjoni li l-ispejjez qadd ma jigu ikkalkulati sew! ma nsemmux il pjanti li qed jiziraw, it tarmac li qed jigi mghoddi ' temporanjament' il barriers li kien hemm nieqsin regaw twahlu f'posthom .. u il lista iddur fuq it tax payer li jhallas kontribut tajjeb biex ikollok 'forsi' l-opportunita tiehodlu ritratt il papa! kas tal biki!

Wilfred L Camilleri

Mar 23rd 2010, 15:08

And how many bowls of rice do you think can be bought if many families in Malta gave up one of their two or three cars; or if the carnival was not held; or if people stopped going to the cinema and discos; or if people stopped eating out; or if people stopped buying expensive electronic things; or if people didn't spend thousands of Euros on fancy homes? And how much money do you think the Maltese government and the opposition parties waste on frivolous programs, travel abroad, etc., etc. in a 24 hour period? Catch my drift Mr. Degiorgio?

renald williams

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:55

Christ will immediately vist us, when we read or hear his New Testament, with no expense…
Give money to the… Eden and Razzett Foundation, Dar Nazareth, Ursuline Sisters, Dar tal-Provvidenza etc…
I will give a New Testament for free, to those who request it on sms 79280325…
Christian peace and health wishes to all...

The New Testament Gospel of Christ, for all those who want to be Christians…
We are saved not by our good deeds, but are saved to do our good deeds…
Efesin 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8.

Because Only Christ is sinless…
Gwann 8:46, 2 Korintin 5:21, Lhud 4:15, Lhud 7:26, 1 Pietru 1:19, 1 Pietru 2:22, 1 Gwann 3:5.

And All Christians are sinners…
Gwann 8:7; Rumani 3:4-23; Rumani 5:12, 18; 2 Korintin 5:14-15; Galatin 3:22; Efesin 2:1, 5; Kolossin 2:13; Lhud 2:9; 1 Gwann 1:8-10; 1 Gwann 5:19.

And all Christians, need Christ to save them, from their sins…
Mattew 1:21, Luqa 1:46-47, Luqa 1:77, Luqa 7:48-50, Luqa 19:10, Atti 5:31, 1 Timotju 1:15, 1 Timotju 4:10.

Jason Borg

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:53

To all those concerned about the world's poor and hungry: I suggest you visit the website http://vucimissjunarja.org/ and listen to just one of the many podcasted programmes in order to get an idea of what the Church does to help these people. Giving some money is the easy part. Giving your life to help the poor is something very difficult indeed.

Carmel Garcia

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:48

Maltese gemgem, dejjem inisbu fuq x'hiex ingorru. Jekk jidrilkom taghtux donazzjonijiet. Fuq kollox il-pap ma jigix kuljum. Mur kieku gie xi kantant jew xi grupp u rridu nhallsu xi mitt euro biex toqghod bilqieghda jew 35 euro bil-wieqfa bhal avveniment li se jsir dalwaqt? Hekk ma jimpurtax, ghax dawn mhux flus lohlija wkoll li nistu nghinu bihom.

Oqbra mbajda

A Caruana

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:34

I can't understand why some people are so much against the church's spending on the papal visit because they feel the church should be contributing to help the needy. Should these people open their eyes to what goes on, they'd realise that the church is already doing so. It has been trying to help ease the burdens off society through its many charities and missions in Malta and abroad. Although some argue that we do not need to be a Catholic state, one must note that the state does depend in many ways on the Catholic church. It is where we do not look up to religion and the church that we start losing ground, especially when we don't have the humility it takes to return back to the church and admit that yes we do need it.

Joseph Calleja

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:33

Yes €500,000 is a lot of money, but most of us are missing the point. The church can afford all this with no problem. But look at the positive side of all this. The architects are Maltese from Malta and it takes a lot of Maltese workers to accomplish all this work, so there is a lot of positive that can be looked at. Did I mention that the architects are Maltese? What I'm trying to say is, we do have capable architects that can contribute to rebuilding the Opera House and maybe even provide one with a roof on it.

Markus Behmann

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:27

Besides claiming money and services from the poorest to build buildings with decadent facilities, seven big crusades and more than 57 other smaller crusades it is amazing to see how many people adhere to the pope. To say fraud caused by the church was only in the past is wrong, just look at the child abuse debate in Ireland and Germany, insane bans though the pope, etc..
If a politician / government would have done any of those deeds, they would have been overthrown.

EDWIN DE MARCO

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:16

Most probably there will be a 'gabra specjali' the following Sunday, to make up for this deficit in the Churche's millions! All this talk by the local Church regarding poor people & poor families. Instead of pressing for a Pope visit, they should have gfiven the money allotted for this visit to the people in need. Shame & shame again!

M. Ellul

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:15

Mr Camilleri, all you have mentioned is thanks to the voluntary workers and organisations that work very hard all year round to raise money in order to build schools, hospitals etc. All the fund raising that goes on tv nowadays and you come up with this!!

Ramon Micallef

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:13

Tal Misthija.......
Specjalment meta tikkonsidra kemm hawn tfal qed imutu bil guh !

Possibli il-Papa ma kienx jikkuntenta b'arrangamenti alternattivi biex dawn il flus jinaghtaw karita' ?!?!

G C Micallef

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:11

Most of the comments are pathetic. Do they also expect that Malta should not welcome any head of state or diplomat as it will, indirectly, cost money to the taxpayer? The Government can also use such funds to increase social benefits. Be realistic or do they want Malta to be a social outcast.

joseph cachia

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:10

would be far more fair and appropriate if the archbishop sent the bill to the vatican to foot , when paid turn the half million to feed children in need.
that go for the government as well, to retrieve the visit preperation bill from vatican and donated
to poor children who live in rubbish dumps searching for any object to make 10 cents for a meal.

R.Degiorgio

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:03

Half a million...Mmmhh...I wondering how many bowls of rice we can buy with all that money to feed the children in the poor countries!!!!
And the so called Catholic church is burning all that money in 24hours!!!! Wow!!!!!

Roderick Micallef

Mar 23rd 2010, 14:02

What purpose does this advert have? Is it a plea from the church to common mortals to donate money since they will be forking out this half a million? The Church has got A LOT of assets and money, it even has it's own bank and this is only in Malta let alone the whole vatican.
The Vatican should pay Malta for the papal visit and not the other way round, I really can't understand what the fuss is all about having the pope visit Malta. The only benefit I see is that a few roads have been re-surfaced and re-tarmaced but otherwise it's just church propaganda! The government should do the same initiatives for the tourism industry which is in peril.
A parliamentery question should be raised to find out how much will this visit cost the state, I am sure it will add up to a lot of money, money which should have been better spent on bare necessities in Malta like for example simple power distribution from the lousy power stations we have.
On this island we surely have the wrong priorities and we need to get them straight before it is too late!

anthony Camilleri

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:56

Well said Jason

Readers should know and I am sure they do ( but they would not admit ) what the Catholic institutions worldwide do in their missionaries, parishes and dioceses
The schools kindergarden primary seconadry and univesities, orphanages, hospitals, homes for the elderly ,the under privilidged and so many other institutions.
Having the Haed of this great organization amongst us is indeed an honour

Alfred Magri

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:53

these anti church anti catholic diatribes do not honour those who are making them. If one considers how much money in vain is being paid for weddings which break up after just two - five years, at least the church is doing something positive. These grumblers are not feeding the children in the church's institutes. Let those who are pure of heart throw their first stone on HH Pope Benedict or on the local catholic church. I will be on the front to see their hallow faces.

Patrick Refalo

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:53

It seems that our Mentality remained the same and keep finding all the negative aspects!!

Good job to the Architects and well done for promoting environmental issues as regards to materials etc..

albert leone ganado

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:52

Is it really necessary to spend such a large sum of money for a papal visit which has now become a regular event? Our Political parties organize mass events of the same size for their supporters at a fraction of such costs.
It is the spiritual context and moral rearmament of such a visit which should emphasized and which many of us are looking forward to.
Let us leave outward showy extravagance to tape cutting events organized by Pharisees

J.Xuereb

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:51

I am surprised to see all these negative comments about the church. It shows that the Maltese are finally realizing that Malta doesn't need to be totally Catholic. There are much better things in life than being a catholic, as long as one embraces the principal values of love and respect towards each other. The large amount of churches around Malta and Gozo do not necessarily reflect how good the Maltese people are. On the contrary it can express a situation of a rigid society, full of discrimination, institutions and corruption. Well done for the EUR500,00 expense. This occasion means nothing more than a method to try to maintain a catholic environment and to brainwash those who are weak!!

M. Ellul

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:50

All superficial and materialistic typical of the Roman Catholic Church. What good will this do? Will he come with messages of love and acceptance and than not practice it. Will he come saying a prayer for the poor when he owns the richest state in the world which we will not go into merit of how it all came about. Or these visits are just a way of marketing the church, trying to save it from collapse?
'After Mass the Pope will present a Rosa d'oro (golden rose) to the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, for Ta' Pinu Santuary in recognition of its importance as a Marian sanctuary'. Exactly as Jesus taught us !!

"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"
-Matthew 19:21

Moses Mula

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:50

If there was anymore proof needed to show that the church is just a wealthy organization, here it is. A man lives in a cave, hundreds of Maltese people struggle to make it to the end of the month, immigrants living in degrading detention centers and then comes this some to pay for someone who considers paedophilia acts done by priests just a mistake but that being gay is unnatural and a sin. To all those who will say that I have a grudge towards the church, yep I do and justified as well. Once Christianity led crusades where lots of innocent people died. Maybe the time has come for a crusade against the church. Does not have to be a bloody one, as long as we get this rotten institution out of the way.

Louis Cutajar

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:48

Veru kummenti fil-vojt u bla sens. L-ispejjes li se tagħmel il-knisja f'Malta għall-avveniment storiku qed naraw żejjed u li żgur se tkun żjara li minnha se joħroġ ħafna ġid b'mod pastorali. Imbagħad ninsew u ma semmux l-ispejjeż fil-vojt li jagħmlu il-membri parlamentari miż-żewġ naħat tal-kamra fuq safar u festini biex jidhru huma u jiġbru l-voti u li ħafna minnhom żgur mhuz bżonnjużi u mhux ta' ġid, u li żgur jitħallsu mit-taxxi tal-poplu. Sirna poplu li fejn irridu aħna nagħtu prijoritajiet, fejn tidħol il-knisja biex insawtuha insemmu il-problema tal-faqar imma meta tidħol il-politika ninsewha il-problema tal-faqar u ngħidu li dak għax bżonn. Ejjew nibdew nirraġunaw b'moħnna u ma niġġudikawx kif jaqbel lilna.

J.Borg

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:48

Ghazieza Kurja 500,00 Euro ahjar intefqu f'restawr fil-hafna operi ta' arti u restawr tal-knejjes antiki u mhux kollox abandun u li ha jispicca, mhux triedu dejjem gabra biex dawn jigu salvati!

Tajjeb li jigi l-papa izurna mma ftakru li Kristu min fuq gholja naturali ipritka mhux minn pulptu lussuz tal-konkriet ... u x'sa jigri wara; tbirku l-briks u tbieghhom souvenir tal-okazjoni?

Albert Buttigieg

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:48

Many of the comments posted are really sarcastic, tastless and without any correct information. Although the church is going to spend this amount of money, this same church send thousands of euros to these various parts of the globe- priest/nuns/laypersons who dedicated their lives to help others. It is 'easy' to criticise from your computer table while the Church (the christian community) in silence sustain those in need. I would like to ask to those who are 'scandalized' : how much money, time and engery did you give to help the poor? Regarding the question re: how much it is going to cost the taxpayer ....well i wish to know how much it will cost to 'welcome' Gaddafi or how much it did cost us to host the Queen of England. As regards to parking problems , hope that these same who are finding it difficult to park, said so during some other events and concerts...like when Elton john came over, mega party of mtv, or now that Calleja is going to perform on the granaries. It seems that when it comes to Church or some events related to it, some find it really hard to keep their mouths shut.

ABORG

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:45

'Pope Benedict will sit on one side of the Cross on a chair made mostly using a special cardboard' - hey...i hope this special cardboard chair is safe enough for our octogenerian Pope.

J Brincat

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:38

After all the talk about the poor or those near the poverty line!

C. Farrugia

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:37

@ M Grima and his comment: "A thought springs to mind..Jesus was homeless,his' representative' here on Earth lives in a Palace."

Exactly my thoughts for as long as I can remember. AND.....the real Jesus representatives are the missionaries living in poverty, exactly like the people they are trying to help. Mother Theresa would *turn* in her grave if she were to read about this waste of a half million Euros!!

D.Azzopardi

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:37

Amazing......all that money for 24 hrs whilst other millions of people dying of hunger.

No wonder everytime we go to church they keep telling us to donate money for special causes......Unbelievable!!!

Miguel Micallef

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:19

We should make a video recording of this mass and then send it to those dying of hunger to watch. At least, they will know their children and themselves will not have died in vain. They have sponsored a mass.

Thanks, roman catholic church. Thanks pope. And thanks Malta public for endorsing this. I am sure this will reflect highly on you in the future, just as all of your past does.

Jason Borg

Mar 23rd 2010, 13:17

Malta mimlija papiet - kulhadd jippontifika! Specjalment dawk li ghandhom lanzita ghal dak kollu li ghandu x'jaqsam mal-Knisja.

E Debono

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:56

I usually don’t bother to comment on any other news articles..but can’t do the same with this one.

Every morning me & hundreds of people who work in Floriana & Valletta are finding huge parking problems (this leading to serious traffic jams). This because some wise clerical guy decided to close the road and parking next to the granaries to construct an alter for an approx. 2 hour function. I would like to congratulate these people who took this kind of decision and also tell them that €500,000 would have been much appreciated by the people of Haiti (the church is always urging us to donate money to people in need)
P.S. no I’m not the usual Maltese moaner,,,It’s just the fact that I can’t bear seeing certain decisions

M cassar

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:52

Will we broadcast the event to the world...at least we will get some advertising for tourism.

charles camilleri

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:45

I think that if Jesus Christ was here it would not have cost us a cent. Jesus is here with us ready and benevolant in listening to what we have to say and heal our pains. The church is spending thousands of Euros whenever He visits a country and yet millions are miserable in poverty cheering the pope when he visit a country. Christ did this for nothing without a cent being spent on any visit HE made and after healing and bringing peace to humanity He was given humiliation for you and me especially me.

Melvin Borg

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:34

Euro 500,000......I wonder how many poor people the Christian church could help with that kind of money!!!! So if i mantain 2 african kids with 20 euros a month.....with that kind of money i could mantain 250,000 kids...Hmmmmmm

mary farrugia

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:32

nahseb hafna flus fil xejn ghax min irid jemen falla ma hemmx bzonn jigi papa nahseb ahjar batuwhom karitta

Daniel Vella

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:31

U n-nies imutu bil-guh :)

Kevin Cauchi

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:31

€500,000 and Gozo totally excluded. The least we Gozitans expected was for the organizers to find an hour in the Pope's schedule for a short visit Gozo. Even a visit to Mgarr Harbour would have been symbolical and sufficient.

M Grima

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:28

This is a dsigusting use of money.The Church is as far away from the teachings of Jesus Christ as can possibly be. This visit serves no usefull purpose.If the Pope wants to preach to the converted he can do so from the luxury of his Palace in the Vatican.

A thought springs to mind..Jesus was homeless,his' representative' here on Earth lives in a Palace.

Any chance those abused Maltese boys and girls will get an apology?

Timmy Farrugia

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:24

didnt they say that they made a loss last year?

Joe E Galea

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:20

Can we know how much will this visit cost to the taxpayer?

A. Mifsud

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:17

though keeping in mind that this is a one-off thing, i would rather help those who are really in need. with €500,000 im sure that a lot of families can be helped.

Keith D'Amato

Mar 23rd 2010, 12:14

@ Papal visit to cost Church some €500,000

I'm sure they can afford it !