Bishop hits out at 'omerta'
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech has urged the faithful not to be afraid of speaking the truth, for fear that they would be criticised.
He said during the feast of St John the Baptist in Xewkija that society was in a situation where what was said through words and images did not reflect reality but the words of those who should be setting the proper course was absent.
Some, he said, were fearing to speak up because of personal interests.
This omerta' was sometimes becoming comfortable both for individuals as well as institutions.
Some parents had even become mute where their children's behaviour was concerned.
"Why have parents lost their voice when they see the indecent lifestyle which some of their children are adopting? he asked.
No sense of inferiority should cause parents not to speak up, he said.
He said that similarly, most people did not agree with the new forms of the family that were being proposed, but they did not speak up.
"Who was speaking up for the truth on the negative consequences of cohabitation?"
In the economic sphere, there had been institutions which did not say the truth in the past. That led to a deterioration and austerity measures, which hit the poor most.
"Our society needs to avoid a situation where people choose to stay silent to avoid having other people talking about them," Mgr Grech said.
He added that he hoped that the Church too would not fall silent when faced by constructive criticism.
It was the mission of the Church to promote the truth of Christ, he said.
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Peter Gee
Jun 30th 2010, 22:36
He's a fine one to talk about 'Omerta' when the church repeatedly hid and protected paedophiles.
K J Vella
Jun 30th 2010, 15:57
Transparency works both ways. And, please do not liken the Maltese people to a bunch of mafiosi hiding crime. We don't typically do that: I believe the Catholic Church has such a code of silence when it comes to the crimes committed by its clergy. Mgr Grech, you, an educated man, should know better!
g.portelli
Jun 30th 2010, 03:13
"Our society needs to avoid a situation where people choose to stay silent to avoid having other people talking about them,"Mgr Grech said.
Unbelievable!When can the faithful have access to the results of the 'new' Response team's findings on abuse by the clergy and when will you have the courage to do the pope's bidding and pass that information on to the police? Intent and action should be the measure here Your Excellency.
"Why have parents lost their voice when they see the indecent lifestyle which some of their children are adopting? he asked.The Catholic way does not look down on anybody, Christ walked and broke bread with sinners.To ask Catholic parents to look down and shame their children is an affront to the very idea of Christian love.It is a church of sinners and most need to walk the distance to Faith. Loving parents are patient enough not to give up on their children whatever lifestyle or family they choose to adopt. Universality is one of the basic tenets of the Catholic church so why should parents be asked to repudiate that?Please don't derail your attempts at rechristianising Malta by such ill judged words and actions.
Pule' Carmel
Jun 29th 2010, 20:53
Reading all this, all that I can say is, What a check mate!!
B. Cachia
Jun 29th 2010, 17:39
It appears to me (though I might be mistaken) that what the bishop really means by 'omerta' is the liberal approach of 'live and let live' where people do not interfere in each other's affairs as long as these cause no harm to others. If my interpretation is correct then I must say I rejoice in our 'omerta' and I think many others do too. May we have even more of it, and may the Church itself finally learn to respect the choices of others, even when it expresses its disagreement with them.
ray sacco
Jun 29th 2010, 14:51
good one! i agree with bishop grech......................enough of omerta! enough of concealing and hiding! so why doesn't his catholic church (especially in malta and gozo) open it's own pandora's box of child abuse? why has the vatican and mr.ratzinger himself protested so loudly because belgian police raided the catholic church's offices and confiscated some computers during their investigation on paedophilia? a lot of bla bla bla, like always!
Steve Pace
Jun 29th 2010, 15:32
eq eq.. careful now ...... you will bring the fires of hell upon to yourself for saying that there is child abuse amongst the maltese priests ..... ;)
M. Muscat
Jun 29th 2010, 12:34
I would like to publish in support of the Nadur farmers whose fresh water springs are being put in peril because of a cemetery being developed outside the development zone and whose approval by MEPA is indeed questionable.,,,,Is it this the Omerta ?.
Steve Pace
Jun 29th 2010, 15:33
No . It just proves Zammit's statement that
"Mgr Mario Grech, as a real father and shepherd, deserves every praise for his timely advice for our own benefit."
Philip Sultana
Jun 29th 2010, 11:11
It looks like that the people are taking the example of the church whose leaders also protected church interests by hiding the paedophilia within it's ranks. The Vatican recently objected to the police's investigative actions against it's bishops in Belgium. Now is that right? Is that what the church wants it's faithful to do?
Anne Portelli
Jun 29th 2010, 09:00
If the Lordship Mario Grech want to do some thing good for the Humanity think of that Nadur burial place that must be stoped.!! revoked the permis for the sake of the farmers and their familes. The Church is still in time to stop such a catastrophe.
Carmel Cilia
Jun 29th 2010, 08:03
Dear bishop I admire you. Recently you have been trying to arouse the public sentiment amongst other issues of the great number of poorer families which are multiplying in number day after day. You are maybe foretelling us what would happen in years to come when this island is going to be face with an unsurmountable debt to pay. Already we are at a stage where we have to pay over half a million euros per day in interest to grease our debt machine. You are maybe foreseeing the austerity measures to be taken by this or future governments not to go bankrupt.
Some economist say that we here have less worries because our debts are made locally. Why so? do we intend to go bankrupt and let the people who invested the little they saved go bust.
Yes I think the church which in the past helped the P.N. to take government in these islands should also feel responsible to pinpoint the dissaster looming on future generations and haul in the nets. Iam sorry to say that Bishop Grech would be fighting this battle alone. His counterpart is conspiciously missing in this area.
Joe Zammit
Jun 29th 2010, 05:43
We know from the story of Samuel in the Old Testament that a hesitation to admonish those we love existed in the priest, Heli (1 Kings 2:22-36). Because he hesitated to correct the inappropriate and even blasphemous offences of his sons, he brought disaster not only upon himself but upon his two sons and his house as well (1 Kings 4:1-18).
Among the ways we can be accomplices to another person’s sin is through command, counsel, consent, praise, provocation, silence, assistance, defense of the evil done, and not punishing the evildoer. Being silent when it is our duty to speak out is a sin.
St Augustine says: “Medicinal rebuke must be applied to all who sin, lest they should either themselves perish, or be the ruin of others… Let no one, therefore, say that a man must not be rebuked when he deviates from the right way, or that his return and perseverance must only be asked from the Lord for him.”
Mgr Mario Grech, thank you for your sound advice!
Steve Pace
Jun 29th 2010, 14:40
"and not punishing the evildoer. Being silent when it is our duty to speak out is a sin" .
Smoke them Zammit... Smoke them ! Ride high ...
Joe Zammit
Jun 29th 2010, 05:36
Jesus Christ ordered us: "If your brother offends your, go, and rebuke him between you and him alone. If he hears you, you shall gain your brother" (Matthew 18:15). “To admonish the sinner” is listed first among the chief spiritual works of mercy.
Whenever we think our words may have a good effect, we should not hesitate to admonish the erring prudently.
Those in authority, such as parents and teachers, are bound to admonish those under them of their faults, even if in doing so they bring trouble upon themselves.
Mgr Mario Grech, as a real father and shepherd, deserves every praise for his timely advice for our own benefit.
Steve Pace
Jun 29th 2010, 14:44
"Whenever we think our words may have a good effect, we should not hesitate to admonish the erring prudently."
Live up to your own comments Zammit !
c saliba
Jun 29th 2010, 03:58
Dear bishop when we had a problem in our village I came to speak to you to solve the problem but sorry it was all for nothing . so why speaking again and nothing is done.... I was really surprised when I saw this article ……
Joe Xuereb
Jun 29th 2010, 01:50
@ Joe Zammit
Quote: 'Be sure that your words never fall on deaf ears'. Famous last words Joe Zammit. Most turn a deaf ear to the bishop's words.
Quote: 'Evil prospers when the good keep silent'. No doubt you count yourself among the good. I must say, you're doing a good job discrediting your Church/religion/bishop. Religion is best practised in a silent meditative atmosphere. When it comes out into the open it tends not to overly impress. If words were pearls..........leave it to the experts Joe. Like the bishop. I am sure he'll summon you if he needs you. Except he doesn't much like he's one who appreciates anybody sharing his thunder. The choice is yours Zammit. Don't forget, we've always got a choice. Even you. And stay out of the sun. You could start seeing mirages, things that aren't there.
Joe Xuereb
Jun 29th 2010, 00:54
4) Mario Grech (he's not my bishop don't forget) quite rightly goes on about omerta` at industrial and political and other institutional levels. Quite right. He also goes on about parents who should disapprove of their children's attire, lifestyle etc. He forgot (deliberately? through ignorance? through self-serving, see above) to mention the damage done to the social fabric by those who, even within families, set themselves up as judges of people whom the church encourages to be seen as inferior, disordered. And they judge without a familial 'court' hearing. They throw you out as 'persona non grata' without as much as a word. They have not the vocabulary to reason. So, primitively, they 'stab' and kick out. Very destructive of society this. Very medieval, this.
You think this is rambling? You bet it is. It makes for uncomfortable reading, whitewasher. You know who you are. But I understand. They've got you over a barrel so you're a 'yes-man'. Go on! Save it, your soul!
Joe Xuereb
Jun 29th 2010, 00:40
3) They need heavy plastering before the whitewasher is called. And that is the problem. He whitewashed and ignored the hairline cracks. But the cracks are now more like ropeline (like the ones seen at the quayside) cracks. and getting fatter by the day.
People who live in a serra (glass-house).........because it's a hot-house issue.
continued
Joe Xuereb
Jun 29th 2010, 00:34
2) Then, and only then, can it start to accuse its dwindling flock not to tell lies, to be courageous, not to be economical with the truth , and so on and on and on.
Like any illness, it is pointless to go on about the symptoms of such. Where is the diagnosis? And from there, the medication.
Someone sarcastically referred to our - sorry! your - bishop as intelligent. I don't think he's an ignoramus but he's certainly an expert at selective self-serving. As we say in London UK, if one is not part of the solution, then one is part of the problem. Sorry Mario. You told us to tell the truth. And you got it.
I could cite examples of disgusting cases of omerta`. Church apologists would play their usual 'rambling incomprehensible' nonsense so I desist. What they cannot stomach, they dismiss. Now THAT is symptomathic. And it needs carefully monitored medication if a Nation is not to come apart at the seams. The cracks are there, ever widening. They need heavy plastering before the whitewasher is called.
M Vella
Jun 29th 2010, 00:31
Tant iehor.
Joe Xuereb
Jun 29th 2010, 00:18
1) It is not an accident that omerta` took hold only god knows since when in the deep south (Sicily) of deeply religious countries. And Sardigna. And Corsica. And Naples. The Vatican has been affected. The Camorra, mafia, 'ndragheta, and so on. Often with the church victimised or blackmailed into participation. And why would Malta be excluded? It's an island, further south than the others. Something in the sun, or the water, or the flawed belief-system is at work. Telling lies has terrible repercussions. The church tells us (well, you not me) not to tell lies. It does not tell you why as this would empower you too much. You've got an 'off the hook' clause in repeat visits to the confessional, the joke that is 'is-sigriet tal-qrar' (sworn to secrecy). All this is very disturbing and very tragic. And the church must own up to its own shortcomings and sort them out. Then, and only then, can it start to accuse its dwindling flock not to tell lies, to be courageous, not to be economical with the truth , and so on and on and on.
continued
jcamilleri
Jun 28th 2010, 23:35
No occasion is lost to promote anti-clerical feelings!
Keep it up dear Bishop. Many silent people heed your words.
stephen Peters
Jun 28th 2010, 22:47
Speak the truth and the truth will make you free.
The truth is not something, it is someone: Jesus Christ. So when we speak the truth, we speak the TRUTH.
Truth is from God, the lie comes from the devil.
Joe Zammit = please stop your stuff.
If only the Bishops would speak the generous truth of Jesus - then there would be something to listen to and consider.
Once again, there is the "alternative family" stuff = hetero living together/gay couples. Why won't the church learn that LOVE comes in many forms - and not just in the way it( the RC church) wants it?
I rejoice that the RC Church has its back against the wall as society in Christ moves on and develops. One day the Pope and his henchmen will catch up with the reality of Christ in 2010.
charles caruana
Jun 29th 2010, 12:13
So, Mr. Peters, you have elected yourself as spokesman for Christ have you? And obviously you have a monopoly over Christ’s truth, replacing that of the Church no doubt. And your Christ is a sweet, gentle, mild mannered liberal progressive and secular pal who pats you on the shoulder and shrugs his shoulders whatever sins are committed in the name of that awesome and lawless word LUV, isn’t he?
Are you sure it’s the Gospel Christ you are talking about? For a moment I thought that ‘the reality of Christ in 2010’ was an evolved version of the primitive specimen of year zero.
martin frendo
Jun 28th 2010, 20:20
Mario grech - golden words indeed. Deeds speak louder than words - once your institution starts living Truth - others will follow suite. Once the institution was a beacon to guide others. Today questions are raised. Doesn’t take much also to notice lifestyles adopted by some.
Lina Caruana
Jun 28th 2010, 19:45
Anyone can decide to search for the truth . The real problem is that truth often offends. Avoiding conflict is not always right. Sometimes it is good to come to terms in a conflicting situation so long as it is done with respect for the other person and most of all the truth. The person who hides behind conflicts without participating in the discussion should either speak or hold his silence for ever. This is a personal choice. Truth will out and certainly shines irrespective whether the microphone is on or off or whether the campaign is a whisper or a scream.
k.pace
Jun 28th 2010, 19:41
I put forward one name for discussion: Giordano Bruno
Louise Vella
Jun 28th 2010, 19:37
Omerta` is what the Curia has been practising and encouraging for decades, if not centuries, in cases of priests known to be sexual predators of children. Omerta` is practised most egregiously by the Curia's Response Team, of which Bishop Mario Grech used to be a member before being promoted bishop.
A. Taliana
Jun 28th 2010, 19:36
Dear Bishop. Your intentions could be well meaning but the strategy is up the creek. First we had the censorship of outspoken clerics. (Speak about OMERTA). Then it was sinful gays. ( I wonder why God keeps making so many of them if they are as bad as you say). Now it is depriving holy communion to couples in cohabitation. What's next? Burning fortune tellers Giordano Bruno style.
It would be better if the local curia start hitting out at the stinking corruption that is suffocating the country and corroding our basic moral values. (Or is that perhaps also just a perception?) Not even the previous Maltese Bishop had the clout to mention names when he pointed fingers at corruption at MEPA. It seems that the local clergy boarded the wrong bus years way back and is now reaping what was sown.
MBorg
Jun 28th 2010, 19:16
@ Roderick Micallef ""Reality is that cohabiting people are not doing anything wrong, ", That is a very strong statement, but not a correct one. What you wrote makes no sense.. The Office for National Statistics in the UK. says that " the number of co-habiting couples will jump 1.5 million to 3.8 million by 2033" and that the Governmnet should be hugely concerned about the number of couples living out of wedlock , according to a charity in UK." Research conducted by a leading social centre in UK said that couples deciding not ot marry would lead to more family break ups. This research found that those who decided to live together before getting married were 60% more likely to split up. England is a secular country where one can get divorce yet people still cohabit, The Church of England said that it supports marriage and that marriage was the bedrock of society. The BIshop is right he is not trying to "persuade people that cohabiting is wrong " Cohabitation breaks the backbone of society. We need strong marriages for a strong society not divorce. Cohabitation and divorce are the easy way out for a society that wants everything
Joseph A Borg
Jun 29th 2010, 16:30
Care to cite your sources? First citing the Office of National Statistics, UK then refer to "a leading social centre in UK" You spent too much effort in your comment to forget that piece of information out…
Which one?
Gerard Cassar
Jun 28th 2010, 19:05
In the economic sphere, there had been institutions which did not say the truth in the past. That led to a deterioration and austerity measures, which hit the poor most. These are the words of Bishop Grech. Please ponder about whom he refers. Who did not say the truth in the past? How much past? The P.N. have been there for nearly 25 years. Since it refers to austerity measures there is no need to go fetching a pin in a bundle of straw but a broom stick in the bundle of straw.
Stephen Spiteri
Jun 28th 2010, 19:05
The Maltese church under its new Archbishop is always reminiscing over the good old days of martyr times. After that ‘golden age’ came the much longer and harsher times of church indoctrination and forced imposition; which lasted for over a millennium and a half. The age of reason didn‘t swipe the illogical thinking appertained to the church, though it did expose Theology for what it is, mainly: the hard work needed to cover up a lie. I would have suggested all the clergy in our part of the world to look out for fresher pastures in poor regions of the world, if it were not for the vulnerability of man, which is found anywhere and anytime. This vulnerability will ensure its existence anywhere. Exist it will, but poison my mental faculty…it will never!
Charles Sammut
Jun 28th 2010, 18:25
Luke 6:41 - 42 Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 6:42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.
Rocco Cauchi
Jun 28th 2010, 17:55
Prosit, Bishop Grech. This is something which has worried me for quite some time in Malta, the freedom to speak one's mind out, the lack of liberty, the stammering and couching of one's words, the predominance of lawyers ready to slam libel suits and turn legal pennies ... in short, the freedom to be free and speak out, to be oneself, say one's own, have an upright personality (sinsla), not be a lackey. Why all the fuss if we know that promotions have always been given to obedient yes-men, that people in power have real, unthinkable, silent power even if they appear to be saints, and that history will judge them in time, or rather that there are more stories making the rounds than one really imagines and that even if people go on saluting you and patting you on the back, they still know and are ready to tell much about you? We need an in-depth study into the anthropology of this situation in a small island which vaunts to be the navel of the world and "il fior del mondo" but is none else than a hotchpotch of accormodating friendships and made-up preposterous faces unaware of objective truth.
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 28th 2010, 19:00
History has shown us that rebelious people have either been subdued or "decimated" somehow. We read and speak about "Games people play", indeed, if someone does not play the collective game, he or she is in for it somehow !! Some people or cultures call it "integration", but then again what about the much more interesting social concept of "Image" !!. We seek the truth because we investigate for it. In criminal investigations, we benefit from forensic examinations, psychological profiling, documented evidence, etc etc but when it comes to challenging socially accepted norms, bracing oneself is pretty much order of the day. I do not wonder how people die, but do wonder, HOW PEOPLE LIVE !!! This may be considered to be pure philosophical of course, but then again, philosophical concepts have managed to transform themselves into clearly defined legal principles. So my next question would be, "What does it take for it to happen...., a revolution maybe ?"
c.carbonaro
Jun 28th 2010, 17:27
your Lordship,What to do if you are censured by your superiors ?
victor rodenas
Jun 28th 2010, 17:06
Too late dear bishop , the church should have spoken before not now. when one gets used to something then it would be very difficult to reverse the situation. Time does not move back.In the future the church will say...`malta has became a gambling country ,there are four Casinos(up to now) lotto ,super 5,internet gambling..etc `...Again it would be too late,the church should have spoken before ,about the opening of casinos ,..it did`nt........Cancer has to be treated immediatly it is found ,otherwise the patient dies..Now our soceity is sick and its getting sicker every day....................one would know if he is sick or not by using the thermometer ,the mercury is over the 100 mark and getting higher and higher .Shall we blame the doctor ? People have been leaving the church many years ago ,that`s when the cancer started.........now it is no use crying over spilt milk ...I know Jesus will be with the church up to the end of time.............look at the church in Europe...that is our mirror .
Roderick Micallef
Jun 28th 2010, 17:02
Dear Bishop, It's all about perception, have you ever maybe wondered that the whole point is not that parents have lost their voice or that their children are adopting an indecent lifestyle as you are alledging. On the other hand society is changing and evolving and the church seems to have a hard time understanding this. As always instead of adapting, the church starts pointing fingers and starts accusing and intimidating. This system might have worked in the past but it's not working now. I really can't understand what you mean when you said that people should avoid staying silend to avoid having other people talking about them? Are you really serious with this statemenet? Did it ever cross your mind that maybe people don't really care whether other people talk about them or not? People ALWAYS talk about each other whether they are cohabiting or not so are you actually pretending that people actually take you seriously with this statement? Reality is that cohabiting people are not doing ANYTHING wrong and most people know this, it is pointless that the church tries to persuade people that cohabiting is wrong because in reality it's not. Medieval times are over!
Peter Bonnici
Jun 28th 2010, 16:58
Omerta' has served the Church well in the past. Why change things Mons.?
Joseph Calleja
Jun 28th 2010, 18:02
Very well said Mr Bonnici. From the looks off the other comments the majority seems to agree with you.
Gregory Farrugia
Jun 28th 2010, 16:53
Ok fine, let's speak the truth. What does the Church have to say about all those priests who left priesthood and got married. The Church never condemned them, actually it never even spoke about them. Omerta. What does the Church have to say about the priests who for so many years raped and abused children here and all over the world. The public only got to know about these grave issues very recently. The church authorities knew about them. Omerta. What does the Church have to say about the hundreds of families and children robbed of their inheritance that was suddenly and unexplainably donated to the Church on the deathbed! The Church knows very well that these issues existed and happened but never addressed them and never spoke about them in public. Omerta. Oqbra mbajda - that's what it is all about. Don't use Christ's words when it suits you best. The Bishop should practice what he preaches.
Stephen Spiteri
Jun 28th 2010, 17:59
It is interesting to know within the universal Church there are several sections, the most common one is, of course, the Roman Catholic Church. Then there is the Eastern Catholic Church (not to be confused with the Orthodox which is a different religion). Both of these churches fall under the jurisdiction of the Pope and all believe the same doctrines. In the Eastern Church, priests are allowed to be married. It also happens that occasionally in the Latin Church, pastors from other religions such as the Church of England are allowed to become priests (if they renounce their religion and become Catholic) even though they are married, so married priests can be found in all parts of the Roman Catholic Church.
Joe Grima
Jun 28th 2010, 16:49
I hate to challenge Mgr Grech because I genuinely like him but some of his postures beg retort. The Church is no honey and spice organization.Its history is bloodied, corrupt and in many cases murderous. It lives in the mother of all glass houses. Yet, Maltese bishops blurt out on this issue and that, simply because Malta is not a Belgium, a country that knows how to put errant Bishops in their place. I ask Bishop Grech: For how many decades , if not centuries, did the church apply the omerta principle in the case of paedophile priests, on its international financial operations and on its clandestine support for murderous dictatorships, its actions bordering on serious criminality? With its money and power, it has always found the way to keep the zip in place.. Cohabitation should be the least of its worries. Government is duty bound to provide a civil remedy for marraiges that break down and for remarriages. It has not done so, by introducing divorce, still a denied civil right, simply because of its servility towards the Church. Cohabitation is not the solution. Divorce will come in your time and on your watch Bishop. Get ready!
A.Busuttil
Jun 28th 2010, 16:44
Dear Mons.Grech it seems that from the 800 so priests in Malta and Gozo only one is not afraid of Omerta.
Lets start with the church, how many priests they talk about injustice , transfers, corraption, MEPA injustice, taxes, utility bills, lack of pills at hospital, waiting list for operation, waiting list in court house, most of the 800 priest observe OMERTA.
The Goverment? .................I will leave it to you to address the goverment DIRECTLY
J.Xuereb
Jun 28th 2010, 16:32
What is happening to Malta's and Gozo's bishops? Are they frustrated because our society is becoming more open to diversity? isn't it positive to be open minded and not torture those who are different? So what is the Bishop trying to say now? Is he urging parents to kick out their children out of their house because they discover that they are gay? Is this the church of today or are they trying to take us back to their Medieval dark history?!!
Joe Xuereb
Jun 29th 2010, 01:15
@ J.Xuereb. I know exactly what you mean man. And I think you understand why this is so. You're not a Xuereb for nothing, after all. And a J. one at that! Welcome on board matey.
Joe Zammit
Jun 28th 2010, 16:15
Well said, Mgr Mario Grech. Your words are sound indeed! Englighten us ever the more. People need to be encouraged by your words. Be sure that your words never fall on deaf ears.
There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Before evil, we must NEVER be silent. We must speak out with all our might in charity but firmly.
Christ was never afraid to speak out the truth. He suffered passion and death because of the truth that radiated from his whole person.
Evil prospers when the good keep silent.
Join in the battle between God and the devil! Fight the good fight!
malcolm seychell
Jun 28th 2010, 16:15
I am not afriad to speak the truth.
The truth is one that the church is not doing its job.
It's just a business entity looking for power and revenue and protect its priests rather then seek justice for its fidels.
Joe Zammit
Jun 28th 2010, 16:07
Speak the truth and the truth will make you free.
The truth is not something, it is someone: Jesus Christ. So when we speak the truth, we speak the TRUTH.
Truth is from God, the lie comes from the devil.
Join in the battle between God and the devil! Fight the good fight!
Rita Attard
Jun 28th 2010, 15:52
When the society of Nadur Farmers spoke up with a broken heart about their agriculture land the Aquifer of spring water no one took any notice of them. Isnt this the same as the omerta' refered to in this letter? Better said then done :)
Joe Cassar
Jun 28th 2010, 15:49
Some time agot the Church was compla\ining abiout "being censored". Now they are complaining about "omertà"!
Isn't life a scream?
Joseph Calleja
Jun 28th 2010, 15:44
"Gozo Bishop Mario Grech has urged the faithful not to be afraid of speaking the truth, for fear that they would be criticized". Mgr Grech that road should go both ways. The, my way or the highway attitude has to go. The omerta happens mostly when people are oppressed and lead by the nose by those in charge. Constructive criticism is good and should always be welcome. No matter how you look at it, good or bad cohabitation is here to stay. It has become a way of life. And if the parents are seriously interested in what their kids are doing, I suggest they follow on what their kids are watching and doing on the internet or take a ride with them to Paceville on the weekend. Most parents are too busy working, trying to make a living to make ends meet. These are very hard times for everybody, including kids. A very wise Maltese saying. " Min ihawwad il-borma ikun jaf xfija ". And that is saying a lot.
Joe Zammit
Jun 29th 2010, 05:26
Joseph, in Maltese we say that the fish stinks in its head. The very first step of cohabitation is sinful that offends God seriously. The continuation of cohabitation is sinful. It separates cohabitants (not their innocent children) from God and puts them on the way to hell. Cohabitants are doing wrong. They are embracing evil. Evil is ALWAYS to their own detriment. That's why cohabitants cannot receive Holy Communion. We must never favour cohabitation.
Charled Micallef
Jun 28th 2010, 15:39
The Bishop is 100% correct....Malta is full of people who are petrified to speak up and tell the whole truth because of personal interests.........Our lives are so well embroided in Politics, all the way from the Politicians themselves down to business fraternity and all the way down to individual families who live in fear of speaking the truth, as they know that big brother is listening and in fear of the costs to their and their families personal interests!
Joe Zammit
Jun 29th 2010, 05:24
Charles, you are right. The more we draw nearer to God, the more TRUTH will abide in us and the more we speak it out courageously. We can arrive at a state of intimate love and union with God here on earth that the whole of hell can do nothing against us. So we speak truth always and we speak it out in the service of love.
Pierre Mangion
Jun 28th 2010, 15:34
omerta is the basis of our political society - no one dares one his/her mouth as they are afraid losing the very little they have. the whistle blower act should have helped but the reality is far more different. whether its business, religion, or political - people fear the repurcussions of speaking out. decades ago we had the same situation whereby politically connected tugs would be sent out to silence the people...nowadays they destroy you physicologically.
Ian Pace
Jun 28th 2010, 15:32
Dear Bishop, with all my sincere respect: regrettably you haven't got a clue what you are talking about! Staqsi lil imgarrab. "Our society needs to avoid a situation where people choose to stay silent to avoid having other people talking about them," Mgr Grech said. It is not a matter of what people say, who cares. Imma min ghandu is-setgha jghaddik min kalvarju u mieghek anki lil tal-familja.
J Farrugia
Jun 28th 2010, 16:13
iddahhakx nies bik jew tahseb li inti biss intelligenti. Din hija l-bluha tal-ghorrief li ghandna ma saqajna. Mhux ta b'xejn ma ssaddux ghax la tafu x'inhi l-vera imhabba, u l-inqas tafu x'inhu moralment tajjeb u x'mhux. Anzi qeghdin naghmlu eroj lil min suppost huwa maqful go habsa tal-perversjonijiet li qed jikkommettu u l-kliem vulgari u oxxen li bih qed niskandalizzaw lit-tfal taghna. Kollha ghorrief hergin it-tfal taghna, kollha jghaddu mill-matrikola fid-dagha!!! U rridu nghallmu lill-isqfijeit taghna. Halluna nghixu. Il-verita tweggaghna. Imma fl-istess waqt, tehlisna.
Joseph Calleja
Jun 28th 2010, 16:15
Why do you think abused children are afraid to speak about their abusers?
Why do you think a lot of gays and lesbians are afraid to come out?
Why do you think that the whistle blower act does not work so good?
We are still living in a cruel world where the victim is considered to be the guilty party.
OMERTA is very alive and well in Malta. It thrives on the oppressed.
Joe Zammit
Jun 29th 2010, 05:23
Ian, that's why all these sound admonitions that are coming regularly from the bishop of Gozo must not be taken in isolation. We must first be one with God to have the power of his grace. His grace is much more powerful than all the 'troubles' that people can pass us through. I said 'troubles' because when we are one with God, God turns those 'troubles' for our own good. He knows how, and no one shall withstand him!
ray sacco
Jun 29th 2010, 15:01
@j.farrugia:
"qeghdin naghmlu eroj lil min suppost hu maqful go habs"l
ghal min qed tirreferi sur farrugia? ghal dawk il membri tal kleru pedofoli li l-isqfijiet ghorief tieghek ghogobhom jostru mil gustizzja?
Darren Galea
Jun 28th 2010, 15:29
It's interesting, when one "speaks the truth" with regards to matters that are against the church or any of their dogmas, that person is fined and/or jailed.
On the other hand, if someone "speaks the truth" with regards to how you'll suffer for eternity if you don't accept Jesus as your saviour or internally disordered if you're homosexual, you're "spreading the truth of Christ".
Laughable at best.
Joe Zammit
Jun 28th 2010, 16:48
Darren, the truth is one: homosexuality is grave sin. God himself condemns it in the Sixth and Ninth Commandments. The Catholic Church speaks the truth for the service of love. The Church loves homosexuals to the extent that she helps them to come out of their sinful and miserable life to a life of grace and friendship with God.
Mark Attard
Jun 28th 2010, 20:31
@ Joe Zammit: 'sinful and miserable life'???? Int fejn taf x'inhi l-hajja tal-omosesswali? M'ghandekx ideja kemm jien kuntent u ferhan! Ghidli, ghaliex jien daqshekk kuntent u ferhan bhala omosesswali prattikanti????
Kenneth Zammit Tabona
Jun 29th 2010, 00:50
Mr Zammit
Please do desist with this ranting and raving about homosexuals leading sinful and miserable lives. Mr Zammit as unlike you I do not cause such immense hurt by my Radamanthine opinions as you do, and, more importantly, I am, as an openly gay person, most definitely not miserable, far from it. I am surrounded by a plethora of friends men and women, gay, straight, married, separated. you name it, all of whom I love very much and who love me and you may be sure that my good relations with the Good Lord cannot, will not, ever be distorted by people like you whose supposedly Catholic but very un-Christian views are just an excuse to be morbidly sex-obsessed.
Just forget it
And as for Bishop Grech; does he actually wish for the parents of 'erring' youngsters to denounce them in public? Where is he living? As if they care! Everytime the Bishop of Gozo opens his mouth he tries to sow panic. He really is the perfect example of someone trying to bolt the gate after the horses have bolted!
ray sacco
Jun 29th 2010, 14:39
@joe zammit:
you condemn homosexuality as a grave sin......................yet you NEVER, in your numerous religious comments, did you condemn the paedophile clergy members and the way your catholic church concealed (talking about omerta!) and is still concealing these perverts from justice! so how can you ever expect to be credible?
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 28th 2010, 15:25
Omerta' exists and its very strong on the Maltese islands, Dear Gozo Bishop Mgr. Mario Grech. It exists in various forms too.
Some people refer to it as "family business." A song by Fish, ex lead singer of the pop group Marllion in his first album speaks for itself. As a young man back then that song hit the nail on its head as far as I'm concerned. Money has alot to do with it. I prefer to live the life of a poor soul rather then get drenched into the mafia like tactics of some Maltese families with their "everything in the public eye type of malicious and twisted "Christian" values".
I will stay away from Malta, Mgr. Mario Grech.
Robert Grech
Jun 28th 2010, 15:24
Min jaf ghafejn? Forsi ghall-istess raguni li l-Knisja damet u ghadha tkarkar saqajha biex tghid il-veritajiet bhal fil-kaz tal-qassisin pedofili??
renald williams
Jun 28th 2010, 15:17
The best constructive criticism, Christians can face: is to let the Words of truth of Jesus,
be promoted; speaking to them, by reading the Gospels. Peace and health…
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had beleived Him, If you continue in My word,
then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31-32.
Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth. John 14:6.
Dr. JOhn Zammit
Jun 28th 2010, 15:15
Dear bishop how can one report the truth, when he knows that if he reports the truth he may be tried in a criminal court or be libelled and get a hefty fine?
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 28th 2010, 15:30
What about "Mentally Sickness" for political reasons too !!!