Updated: Offensive slogan daubed on Pope's birthplace

Tessie Orsini

Apr 15th 2010, 01:39

Pope Benedict XVl welcome to the Island of Malta.

Joe Zammit

Apr 13th 2010, 22:54

For the great majority of Maltese and Gozitans the Pope is a special person. We see in him the Head of the Catholic Church, the one chosen by Christ himself.

In Malta and Gozo there are hundreds of Catholic churches and every week great thousands of people gather to participate in the Sunday Mass. In the Creed they always say: WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Now, Benedict XVI, who is coming among us as a Shepherd, is the successor of St Peter, and as such, Head and Supreme Pastor of their Catholic Church.

So for the great majority of us the Pope is a special person indeed!

ray sacco

Apr 13th 2010, 21:37

why put up billboards for a state leader's visit in the first place? not that they don't have the right, but it looks ridiculous! its not like you're advertising a sugar free soft drink or some low calorie cereal!

Kersty.Buscomb.Gatt

Apr 13th 2010, 21:09

I for one will not be waving the flag when the POPE comes to Malta, i read and listen to the Dutch News.......i work in the Netherlands and most are up in arms against the pontif for knowing what he new thne and yet did nothing to put the matters right, just brushed the whole concept under his German carpet. disgusting, think what you would do if it was your children being abused by these so called men of the church.. I believe in God yes, but then again i haven't got a guilty concious sorry but this is how strongly i feel against such people who get away with murder.Having said this sort of thing happens in all walks of life but these people are suppose to be celebait, why take it on young innocent children/ disgusting and very damaging in their later life.

Joe Zammit

Apr 13th 2010, 20:51

Pope Benedict XVI is familiar with Malta because in his former Congregation he had some Maltese employed there. He likes the Maltese and Gozitans. He knows well about St George Preca.

So let us give him a warm welcome this week-end! Let us demonstrate publicly that we follow Christ's words indeed by being one with the Head of the Catholic Church, the successor of St Peter!

WELCOME TO OUR CATHOLIC ISLANDS, DEAREST POPE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AS WELL and

LONG LIVE THE POPE!

Paul Smith

Apr 13th 2010, 19:41

Religion is the opium of the masses and a good number of Maltese buy this God, Heaven and hell malarky hook line and sinker, It's a fairy tale from 2000 years ago when man was brain washed and knew no better and thought the Earth was the center of the universe. I feel sorry for people that are taken in by this nonsense. Even Einstein said there was no such thing as God and i will steer to the side of einstein since his theories have been proven correct time and time again. The vatican and the pope are one big money making organization bleeding anyone foolish to believe in there fairy tale and not paying a dime in tax.
IF the Pope were truly a spiritual person he would not have gone onto cover up child sex abuse! Wake up and stop taking fairy tales as gospel. Believing in this drizzle is akin to believing in the tooth fairy, the wicked witch of the west and a disney movie.
Defacing the posters is quite humorous, if only so many were not so Brain washed by religious hocus pocus.

David Scerri

Apr 13th 2010, 18:12

let those without sin cast the first stone

P. Vincenti

Apr 13th 2010, 17:25

These acts of vandalism are being carried out by people who simply hate the church and who are trying to ride on the situation of abuse to reach their goals of damaging the Church. Sadly, I fear that the far right movement stands to gain most from these ludicrous acts of hatred towards Catholics. At the press conference yesterday, those who were wronged by abuse acted in total contradiction to these others who have their own anti Catholic agenda. Let us hope that the Pope will be safe from these extremists when he comes to little Malta.

Joe Zammit

Apr 13th 2010, 16:48

Pope Benedict XVI merits all respect and support, reaching him from all parts of the Church. He is a pastor well capable of facing this difficult time in which there is no lack of criticism and unfounded insinuations. It must be said that he is a Pope who has spoken a lot about the Truth of God and about respect for truth; and he has become a credible witness of this.

Jesmond Micallef

Apr 13th 2010, 16:21

The Maltese people are looking forward to giving a very warm welcome to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the Maltese islands.

Your Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, please ignore these acts of vandalism. We, Maltese people, are looking forward to your visit. We are indeed priviledged that you have decided to visit our small beautifull island nation.

We are in prayer for your sanctity, in this time of need and we are indeed behind you. You have our FULL support. Please, do not ever doubt this.

Dear God, have mercy on the poor souls who have lost faith. Give them courage to move away from their very aggressive stand here. They are blinded Dear Lord and need enlightenment. We also pray to you God, to protect our Spiritual Leader which you have sent to us from this very aggresive siege he and our faith is currently undergoing. Let this time Dear Lord be of deep reflection but also of great strength to us and to those who wish true peace and love.

Kevin Zammit

Apr 13th 2010, 16:07

Now I'm not a big follower of the church in no way or form but I honestly don't understand why this organisation that has done more good than bad at least post medieval age :)

These things have happened and are happening regularly ... some Canada hockey clubs were notorious, in the UK and US convicted paedophiles were given state jobs with kids that is to say that government departments messed up big time ... recall the 2 girls in manchester murdered by the school janitor?

Very large organisation are what they are mistakes are bound to happen ... let me tell you ... I rather the church handles these things than a group of lawyers and cops.

You have people convicted of murder and attempted murder allowed out to be with friends and family and the pope is going to become your worst nightmare? Why don't you all worry about what you have to deal with on a daily bases instead?

Ernest Vella

Apr 13th 2010, 16:00

Il-Media, jekk hija ta servizz ghall-poplu ghanda taqtaha twegga lin-nies, left, right, centre bla kuxjenza morali u socjali. Imbaghad insaqsi...dawn lahqu flok il-qorti u tiggudika u tikkunadana lin-nies minghajr l-icken prova...Nheggeg lil dawk kollha li jhossu ruhhom parti mill-Knisja biex jilqghu lill-Papa bl-iktar mod sabih possibli u jsikktu lil kull min jipprova jtellef lil din iz-zjara...ghax kif qed naraw din hija biss mibeghda u hdura u mhux ghax irrabjati minhabba l-pedofelija.

Il-Maltin li gew abbuzati stess mhux ser jipprotestaw...mela kif imbaghad hawn min jippretendi jikkundana lin-nies u jqieghed lil kulhadd f'keffa wahda,

Pope Benedict XVI - WELCOME TO MALTA - We love you as Jesus do

Anthony M Brincat

Apr 13th 2010, 15:48

,May I point out that these slogans, obscenities and other acts of vandalism will never atone for the traumas suffered by those who have suffered abuse. I condemn both the abuse and these acts which will lead to nothing as "the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church"

Lina Caruana

Apr 13th 2010, 15:47

Hopefully the deep seated anger at the Pope and the Church will not represent now the Church of Christ by Maltese Catholics ,for while in the Church there are lapsed Catholics, the Crucified Christ is the reality itself of Love and Truth . Humanity has always been Christ's object of Forgiveness. Even if some wrongs are serious ,who is perfect ? It is very hard to forget an injustice but even harder to be objective when the issue is emotional. Should one remedy one wrong with another ?

B Galea

Apr 13th 2010, 15:44

These cowardly acts only reflect a poor state of mind. It is truly sad that his Holiness is being treated in such a manner, especially in our country. Ofcourse no one approves the grave mistakes committed by such irresposible persons being from past, present or future regarding paedophilia...such disgusting acts are deplorable. But to take it on the Pope in such a prolonged and aggressive manner is in my opinion getting too far.

This person is a humble man of God. I clearly remember his very first words to his flock, speaking of himself, as saying "Truly, the Lord contents Himself with very little".

Let all those of good faith meet with him this weekend and show all our support to the present successor of Peter and the Holy Church of Christ.

Carmel Garcia

Apr 13th 2010, 15:20

Let us pray for the Pope and the Church. Matthew 46: 18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Joe Zammit

Apr 13th 2010, 15:06

The Pope who has called us to charity in truth, who warned us that the economy would collapse if religious values were excluded from the marketplace, who did so much to address and put right the actions of those priests who have caused scandal -- this man has been targeted, because he believes that we can only authentically love our neighbor if we have first allowed God to love us.