'Empty vessels' on a given side

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech has spoken of "empty vessels" in politics, journalism and the Church which are reflecting an erosion of values, a dearth of ideals, a lack of vision and a deficit of ethics.

Is it only me, or does that statement seem to lead us towards perceiving His Grace's position as being one that is not a million miles away from one that places "empty vessels" on one specific side, namely the side where those who do not agree with his take on the meaning of life, the universe and everything are parked?

I don't pretend to speak for my colleagues in journalism: indeed, I am a mere purveyor of opinion, an opinion that is no one's but my own. But when I read words like: "The void of values was also being held among some who worked in journalism. Journalism could be very useful but sometimes the media was used to spread rumours, sow division, manipulate mind and character assassination. This too created an existential void" I tend to fret, because brushes and tarring come to mind.

Let me give you a fr'instance: I am in favour of divorce being introduced in the Republic's civil law sooner rather than later. In fact, so far as I am concerned, it is not a question of "whether" but of "how". It's not a question of "when", either, the "when" is now.

I am also in favour of the state butting out of people's bedrooms, the opinions of eminent politicians of both stripes notwithstanding. If consenting adults, of either gender or of any preference in between, if you'll forgive a marginally facetious and offensive characterisation, want to do things with each other in the privacy of their own homes without scaring the horses, worrying the children or distressing the servants, then, hey, more power to their elbow.

The immediately foregoing paragraph applies equally to the Church, and to any other Church, for that matter.

Does this make me an "empty vessel"?

If not, add this to the mix: I am against censorship, and the interference by anyone in free speech, with the usual proviso that filthy racism (or actual abuse of vulnerable persons generally) is not covered by this freedom.

Incidentally, isn't it about time His Grace made the Church's position on racism clear, once and for all? A clear unequivocal statement that racist bigots have no place in Christianity might be a cool idea.

Am I an empty vessel? You might think so, and you have every right to think so, but forgive me if I point out that I don't much care.

His Grace is also reported to have said that politics was a noble art and society should give due recognition to politicians.

"But sometimes," he is reported to have continued, "the messages and examples set by some politicians showed a lack of high ideals which should be an inspiration to the people. Some legislative proposals regarding human life, marriage, the family and social justice confirmed this void."

That politicians should hold themselves in high regard and give the best of good examples need hardly be said but legislating in favour of positions that are at odds with the Catholic Church's position on marriage, to take just one of the list that the Bishop thought was relevant, does not make any politician voting that way an empty vessel.

Does it? If it does, I'll take empty vessels any time.

The report continues to quote His Grace saying that "there were also empty vessels in the Church.

The authentic Catholic gave his contribution for a more humane society but this was not reflected when the people of the Church were filled with "trash" instead of with Christ and His teaching.

On a positive note, it is good to see that a Church leader does not think his "officers" are paragons of all virtue that can do no wrong, that they're human like the rest of us. On a less positive note, why is the strong pejorative "trash" used to disparage the views of those with whom the Bishop clearly does not agree?

When the letters pages of The Sunday Times have been filled with such earth-shattering questions as the appropriateness of receiving Holy Communion in the hand, one has to be forgiven for wondering whether this is the sort of "trash" that was at the back of his mind.

I doubt it, frankly, because it's more likely that the lurch to the intolerant side of the equation, brought to light by certain contributions to the heated debate that erupted when a priest gave voice to an opinion that was less intolerant of people "living in sin" (see above for my take on that), is inspirational of the characterisation "trash".

I was a bit forgetful last week: I forgot to recommend that you trot off to the old power station down at Valletta Waterfront and take a look at the exhibition by the Mcast students of art.

It will repay the effort and you will feel invigorated.

imbocca@gmail.com

www.timesofmalta.com/blogs