No requests for protests during weekend's visit
No one has applied for a permit to hold a protest during the Pope's visit this weekend, despite claims that security has been stepped up amid fears of organised disturbances.
The police confirmed they had received no applications for a protest permit as yet. But this will not kill suspicions that spontaneous demonstrations could occur, in light of increasing allegations involving paedophile priests.
A Facebook group entitled No To Pope Benedict XVI In Malta has more than 1,000 members but, so far, there have only been feeble attempts to organise them into some sort of protest.
Some have suggested holding a publicised group excommunication and others have said they would try to hold an activity at the airport.
However, the most likely action so far seems to be that of not showing up at the activities.
The fears stem from the highly-publicised vandalism on billboards promoting the Pope's visit, which saw the Pontiff being given a Hitler-moustache and flanked by Pedobear - an internet symbol of paedophilia.
Every police officer would be involved in this weekend's operations in some way or another, the police said, in what is being considered one of the biggest security operations this country has seen.
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Albert Buttigieg
Apr 17th 2010, 13:47
@ Mr Falzon.
Although i fully agree that one crime too many, i pointed out that the ratio of those facing criminal charges and those who are living an examplary lives is not equal. Regarding your 3 point, i have to say that this is your opinion. If you have FACTS, please do pass such information to our police to investigate. It is easy to say what you said. Regarding your fourth point, i was talking about the need that non believers respect the believers as the non believers want to be respected in return.
David Caruana
Apr 17th 2010, 12:17
How was security stepped up? By harassing people who might have shown interest in protesting on social networks online? Is this how the local police step up their security?
John Falzon
Apr 17th 2010, 00:58
@Albert Buttigieg
Firstly one act of a paedophile priest, is one crime too many. Ask any of the victims.
Secondly, the rampant paedophilia amongst Catholic priests is worldwide, not just in Malta, and it would be quite legitimate to protest (in Malta) against paedophile Catholic priests, even if the crimes were only happening outside Malta.
Thirdly only 3 cases ended up in courts, because the Catholic Church in Malta, has the unique power to self-regulate, the Church has been caught out too many times covering up its own crimes.
Fourthly I have no respect for the perpetrators of crime, and will never have.
Albert Buttigieg
Apr 16th 2010, 15:19
@mr Falzon
i think you should check your sources well and objectively because u seem to lack objective information about all certain issues such as 'rampant paedophilia priest". If not mistaken in malta 3 priests are infront of the Court to answer to their actions. 3 out of more 1,000! As regards to certain issues such as contraception and gay issues, the church is entitled (like you) to her opinion. Learn to respect, so as to be respected in return.
John Falzon
Apr 16th 2010, 12:24
Why should there be any protests?
Malta has no issues with the rampant paedophilia amongst Catholic priests. Malta admires the excessive wealth of the Catholic Church. Malta approves of the way all women are excluded from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Malta admires the way the gay community is treated by the Catholic Church. Malta agrees with the way the Catholic Church handles the issue of contraceptives.
Indeed why should there be any protests during His Holiness’s visit?
M.Pule'
Apr 16th 2010, 11:19
Catholics are comforted by Christ's words - I will be with you till the end of time. So protests or no protests, we still have Jesus Christ's blessing through His Holiness visit amongst us.
David Caruana
Apr 16th 2010, 09:17
Why does anyone need a permit for a peaceful protest?
UNITED NATIONS
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 10 December 1948.
Article 20 :1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2.No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
The ones that are peacefully assembling to wave the white and yellow flags won't need a permit, right?
So why does anyone who peacefully assembles to wave a "Child Abuse is a Crime" banner need one?