Pope under the spotlight
As Malta prepares for Pope Benedict XVI's visit on April 17 and 18, he faces increasing scrutiny over cases of sexual abuse by priests. Could this taint the Pope's image in the eyes of Maltese Catholics? Will it affect the enthusiastic welcome he is expected to receive from the people? By Cynthia Busuttil and Claudia Calleja.
The sex abuse scandal rocking the Roman Catholic Church is not expected to overshadow the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Malta next month.
The Vatican last week attacked what it called an "ignoble attempt" to smear the Pope himself with allegations that, while still a cardinal, he had some part in covering up sexual abuse of children by priests. Protestors in London have gone so far as to demand his resignation.
Sociologist Rev. Joe Inguanez is one of those who believe the impact of the allegations will not be widespread in Malta, an overwhelmingly Catholic country.
In a survey carried out a few years ago, Fr Inguanez found that, while people recognised that there might be some bad apples among priests, this should not reflect on the whole Church.
He carried out the survey following the 2003 revelations that the police were investigating allegations of paedophilia by four priests at the St Joseph Institute in Sta Venera.
"People had said it was a personal issue and not something that reflected on the Church. The faith in the Church remained," Fr Inguanez told The Times yesterday.
Philosopher Fr Peter Serracino Inglott agreed that the claims would not overshadow the Pope's visit, saying people understood that Pope Benedict XVI never tried to cover up any abuse cases.
The Pope has been targeted mainly because his deputy had stopped a Church trial against an American priest accused of abusing some 200 deaf boys in the 1950s and 1960s, when as Cardinal Ratzinger he was a senior Vatican figure.
According to The New York Times, Wisconsin priest Rev. Lawrence C. Murphy had personally written to Cardinal Ratzinger protesting against a canonical trial for abusing the boys since he had already repented and was in poor health, as well as the case being beyond the Church's statute of limitations. The newspaper reported that he was not defrocked but the Vatican has denied any cover-up in this case.
Moreover, when Pope Benedict XVI was Archbishop of Munich, a German priest who received therapy for paedophilia was allowed to go back to work with children. The Vatican has said that then Archbishop Ratzinger was not involved in this decision.
Speaking at St Peter's Square on Sunday, the Pope said his faith would not allow him to be intimidated by "the petty gossip of dominant opinion".
Columnist and anthropologist Mark Anthony Falzon pointed out that the effect of the allegations is not expected to be huge, especially because of a strong sense of déjà vu, with repetition causing news to lose its power, even though this alleged case involved the Pope more directly than usual.
"Such stories fuel anti-clericalism, particularly that directed against high-ranking Churchmen. Which is not to say people's perception of the Church is necessarily being seriously affected," he said.
Dr Falzon pointed out that Catholics, especially in southern Europe, had a knack of combining the most virulent type of anti-clericalism with a long-term loyalty and devotion to the Church.
"It's the mother of all ambiguities, but it's very much alive. Anti-clericalism becomes a sort of counter-narrative, or counterpoint, to the main text, and episodes like the current one provide the ingredients to the counter-plot. At the end of the day, however, it's just that - a foil."
He said anti-clericalism was very strong at the popular level in Malta but, at the same time, the Catholic Church was still very strong at all levels and did not show any signs of backing down.
Dr Falzon said unless Maltese media "go mad and decide to hype the story about the abuse claims", the Pope's visit will not be affected at all.
"On the day, the Pope's visit will be more a matter of emotions than calculative news analysis," he said.
The chancellor of the Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta, Rev. Canon Simon Godfrey, is also certain the allegations would not eclipse the Pope's visit.
"I'm sure it won't because the Holy Father is held in such high esteem," he said, adding that Maltese people would surely welcome him with open arms.
But Fr Inguanez said one could not say whether the Maltese would still flock to see the Pope during his 26-hour visit, just as they had done on the two occasions his predecessor came to Malta.
"He is not Pope John Paul II and fewer people might go because of that rather than because of the claims," Fr Inguanez said.
What people think
Romina Delceppo, 29, Kalkara
I don't think the Pope has anything to do with the mistakes made by others. That they did is not a nice thing... but the Pope had nothing to do with it. I guess such matters do cause some people to look at certain facets of the Church differently, but not the Pope. I planned to go see him and will still go. After all, he'll be passing through my village.
Marianne Micallef, 67, Qawra
Such allegations don't really affect the way I look at the Pope, as His Holiness. We are all human after all... I believe in God, the sacraments and the commandments. I believe all people make mistakes, including myself, maybe that's why I'm a bit more understanding. I will be in England when the Pope comes to Malta but would have gone to see him otherwise.
Rene Rossignaud, 29, Swieqi
These cases of abuse keep emerging year after year and nothing is done. It doesn't affect me because my perception of the Church is already bad and it's getting worse. I don't think it's a very popular time for the Pope to be visiting a very Catholic island... However, I feel the Maltese will be turning a blind eye on the subject and focus on the fact the Pope is here.
Anthony Gauci, 65, Valletta
There are many who turned against the Church because of such allegations of abuse. It does diminish people's trust in the institution. These are the people who should be leading by example, but they are not. I don't know what to believe... you don't expect such corruption from these people if it is true they believe in God. I don't really plan to follow the Pope in Malta.
Paula Fleri Soler, 41, St Julians
I think this scandal is affecting the way people perceive the Church. Ultimately, the Pope is the top person within the Church and people want to see him being proactive and doing something to address such situations. As for April's visit, I never really had plans to go see him.
Dennis Caruana, 45, Valletta
At the moment there is an ongoing campaign against the Pope and the Church. I believe in the Pope, because I'm Catholic. I assume he would have taken action against abusers if he could. These allegations will not stop me believing in God, even if it turned out that the Pope himself was convicted for paedophilia. He is human like anyone else and this will not affect my faith. I live in Valletta so, might as well go see him when he's here.
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Gerry Cowie
Mar 31st 2010, 07:52
I suggest that Leah Micallef takes her hands away from her eyes and reads what has been said by Archbishop Vincent Nicholls in the UK as noted below by Evarist Saliba. It is easy to condemn without knowing the whole story! People's personal feelings about the issue can cloud the facts! Innocent until proven guilty, surely? What Leah seems to have poured out is the chip on her shoulder about various issues which dissatisfy her about the Church, including its defence of human life in her reference to women's control over their own bodies. Remember that this apparent "pro choice" approach to human life means that women also have ultimate power of life and death over the innocent unborn.
Please save us the exceptional and extreme examples with which you may reply.
To my knowledge the Church does not hold itself up as "the pinnacle of morality". Talk about build it up and knock it down! The Church is made up of human beings who collectively strive towards such noble values.
May common sense prevail in this issue and perpetrators brought to justice!
The "What the people think" section of this article seems to show overall support for the Pope!
James De Giorgio
Mar 30th 2010, 23:29
It doesn't take much thinking to realise that the media has a hidden agenda.
People who have brains to think will realise that much of the allegations against the Pope is nothing but a smear campaign, an attempt at character assassination.
Guys, stop believing all that the media says and start evaluating. Use some common sense.
Leah Micallef
Mar 30th 2010, 21:05
By the way, I do sincerely hope that this country will start turning more and more towards secularism. It's about time. Malta has been held back by religion for far too long now. It's 2010 and we're still arguing about divorce, for goodness' sake. I have nothing but respect for Catholicism (don't feel the same way about the Church though) and I strongly believe in religious freedom for any religious person of any faith, but separation of church and state should be vital to any civilised country. Religion to me seems more sincere if it's a choice made by the individual - here in Malta it seems to be state-imposed, and believe me sooner or later it will suffer for it.
Leah Micallef
Mar 30th 2010, 20:19
@ Gerry Cowie
You are very right in that the Church is certainly not the only organisation who deals with this kind of scandal and abuse. However - the Church is followed by millions around the world and prides itself on being the pinnacle of morality; the Pope himself is said to be the representative of Christ on Earth. Every year we have to listen to why gays can't marry, why people who are dying of AIDS abroad can't use contraceptives, why women can't be in control of their own bodies, all in the supposed name of God - and then it comes out that scores of paedophile priests have been abusing children and their crimes have been covered up, thereby escaping justice! It is this kind of sheer hypocrisy that angers so many people - secularists, atheists AND Catholics, who have rightfully been shocked and broken hearted by this horrendous betrayal.
Seems to me that the Pope is the one putting his hands over his ears by aiding and abetting known CRIMINALS over the years! Disgusting!
Gerry Cowie
Mar 30th 2010, 19:31
Come one, everybody! Surely you did not expect an article mentioning the Pope to escape the attention of athiests and even secularists who have renounced their own Catholic faith; people who ask us to "keep our butts out" of arguments which do not concern us!
The fact is that any "dirt" available on the Church is going to be like a red rag to a bull when it comes to these people!
They hope that Malta's undeniably majority Catholic faith will be shaken enough to turn to secularism. They forget that the only people who can change Malta are those with a right to vote there.
Also these people focus only on the bits that suit them. For instance they make no mention nor admission that abuse cuts across all societies and does not solely affect the Church. And they do not like to face the truth and generally seek to ignore what they do not want to hear like children with their hands over their ears saying "I can't hear you!"
Those people, whether they be from Malta or Australia, have nothing better to bark about. But people are not stupid here, and clearly below they put them right!
Evarist Saliba
Mar 30th 2010, 16:58
The Pope will be visiting England later this year and this debate is going on over there as well. Archbishop Vincent Nicholas, Archbishop of Westminster felt the need to write an article on this topic and this appeared in The Times (of London) on March 26, 2010. This included this paragraph.
" What of the role of Pope Benedict? When he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith he led important changes made in church law: the inclusion in canon law of internet offences against children, the extension of child abuse offences to include the sexual abuse of all under18, the case by case waiving of the statute of limitation and the establishmemt of a fast-track dismissal from the clerical state for offenders. He is not an idle observer.His actions speak as well as his words."
N.Lawrence
Mar 30th 2010, 16:55
@Joe Azzopardi
The church is nothing more than a pseudo political organisation. Like the rest, ALL politicians do little but smiling.
Joe Azzopardi
Mar 30th 2010, 15:38
The church might try to show a brave face but the fact that it has resorted to tv adverts to promote the pope's visit makes one think. I personally was shocked when I saw these. On the one hand members of the church cry out about people being at risk of poverty and on the other the same church wastes money in this way. And do please keep in mind that most of the funds the church has at its disposal have been donated to it at some point.
The church needs to get down from the pedestal it has put itself on and be seen to be sharing the fate of the people before trying to inculcate its faith to the people. I was convinced that the present Bishop would be a force in this direction but up to now he has done very little apart from smiling.
David Borg
Mar 30th 2010, 15:07
Mr Flynn,
The Vatican documents have been misinterpreted. The pontifical secrecy applies only to confession and t the church trial. The crime itself is not subject to this secret.
"These matters are confidential only to the procedures within the Church, but do not preclude in any way for these matters to be brought to civil authorities for proper legal adjudication. The charter for the Protection of Children and Young People of June, 2002, approved by the Vatican, requires that credible allegations of sexual abuse of children be reported to legal authorities" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimen_sollicitationis#Trial_confidentiality
renald williams
Mar 30th 2010, 13:31
The document Mr William P Flynn is mentioning... without ever judging anyone...
was produced by Mr Ratzinger as leader of Congragation of Doctrine of Faith
(named till 1965, Holy Inquisition) and signed by John Paul 2.
It mentions rules from the Church of Rome regarding sexual abuses...
It states clearly that the cases where subject to secrecy, in the name of the Pope at Rome.
The cases where to pass only through priests, of the Church of Rome.
The judges and advocates were to be only priests, of the Church of Rome.
The tribunal was to be only under jurisdiction, of the Church of Rome.
The victims were not to be older than 29 years.
renald williams
Mar 30th 2010, 12:15
…‘the top person within the Church’…
is not any Christian but CHRIST himself, because all Christians are brothers…
peace and health
…kollox taht riglejh [Christ], u lilu ghamlu fuq kollox, biex ikun ir-ras tal-knisja. Efesin 1:22.
U Hu [the Lord] r-ras tal-gisem, il-knisja: hu l-bidu, l-ewwel mill-imwiet; biex f’kollox ikun l-ewwel. Kolossin 1:18.
Hu [Christ] li hu r-ras… Thallu ‘l hadd min… ma jzommx mar-Ras. Kolossin 2:10, 18-19.
Nikbru f’kollox fih, dak li hu r-ras, Kristu. Efesin 4:15.
Kristu hu ras il-knisja… l-knisja hi suggetta ghal Kristu. Efesin 5:23-24.
…ghax wiehed hu l-Imghallem taghkom, Kristu; u intom ilkoll ahwa. Mattew 23:8.
Kristu… ikun Hu l-kbir fost hafna ahwa. Rumani 8:29.
Miguel Micallef
Mar 30th 2010, 15:19
Il-kliem tieghek sabih u romatinku kemm trid, pero jiddispjacini hafna illi Kristu mijux qieghed aw u mhux ha jwiegeb al daw l-atti illegali u kriminali li saru. Ghal daqstant ikollna nduru fuq in 'next in line' , li nahseb jigi l-papa. Ghalmenu dan suppost jista jitkellem jekk issaqsih. X'ghandu xi jghid ghad irridu naraw....
William P Flynn
Mar 30th 2010, 11:57
The world believes as the top man in charge Ratzinger knew everything that was going on.
"Ratzinger produced a document in 2001 entitled De delictis gravioribus, stating that all child abuse allegations should go directly to his office (the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) in Rome and be subject 'to the pontifical secret'. Ratzinger also endorsed the clause in Crimen Sollicitationis which states: "The oath of keeping the secret must be given in these cases also by the accusers or those denouncing the priest and the witnesses". In other words, Bishops could use their authority to silence the victims of alleged priestly abuse by swearing them to secrecy under pain of excommunication.
Since the last Pope was effectively guided by Ratzinger in the final years of his life, it is Ratzinger who has been at the centre of this entire issue since 1981, first as head of the CDF and later as Pope Benedict".
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2010/03/vows_of_secrecy_the_actual_wor.html)
As it is in Malta, the coverup starts with the bishops muscling the top police of the minister, the church is then allowed to handle the matter "internally". Later the Vatican can hypocritically claim the law authorities knew and did not prosecute.
Roger Stewart
Mar 30th 2010, 11:18
Personnally i don't care much about this German Pope, however i still think that one of the best Popes ever although i am not a catholic, Pope Paul John was worthy and if i may say a good Pope, but thats my opinion ofcourse.