Playing the band in a rain of tears

I attended a music-literary evening in Żebbuġ to mark the 50th anniversary from the death of national poet, Dun Karm Psaila. Oliver Friggieri’s speech left its imprint. He said that in a world beset by war and grief, the Maltese should be thankful to God that on this small rock we still find time to play with trikki trakki and papier mache statues. “If all the world resembled us, there could possibly be less sadness among humans,” the professor continued.

I started off with this reflection because I cannot possibly write about village feasts with a peaceful mind when neighbouring countries a few miles from our shores have been reduced to overflowing charnel houses. Prof. Friggieri was not suggesting a cowardly escape from reality. I perceived in his sensitive soul that stubbornness to smile in spite of all the tragedies in the world. He’s like the soldier James Blunt still wanting to celebrate life despite it being “tears and rain”.

I’ll suggest an answer on how we can filter village feasts from what is not pleasing to God and man. Isn’t this the year dedicated to voluntary work? Why don’t we start from this year to believe in the good sense of the NGOs organising them and create a serene climate of mutual trust among all parties concerned?

Trust will not be earned by having the Curia continue to issue a multitude of directives and circulars which are expected to regulate everything in detail. Neither is trust gained by creating more holier-than-thou ecclesiastical tribunals and commissions – enough of these have ruined our lives. Trust will be earned when those involved in the organisation of village feasts, including parish priests, stop labelling others as rivals.

I think we are still far from reaching this goal. The famous document Nirrestawraw il-Festi Flimkien issued in October 2009, not only declared black on white that the band clubs are à priori structures which promote division but it also hinted that civil authorities were abdicating from their duty to maintain order. The present self-imposed silence of the Curia about the ongoing consultations is also causing mistrust.

On the other hand, the spokesmen of the associations publicly declared the initiatives they were taking. Apparently the Band Club Associations and the National Feast Decorations Association decided, through a unanimous vote, to reach a common front together with the Pyrotechnics Association so that they can better discuss the issues directly pertaining to them. It is clear that this confederation wants to discuss with the Curia the fundamental principles of civil rights of expression and of association. In fact, one of these associations prepared an independent document at the beginning of this year explaining these principles. This document was presented to the College of Parish Priests. This is a very interesting turn in the consultation process; one which nobody was expecting, probably not even the Curia itself.

I think that the fundamental disagreement is precisely about who is the organiser of the village feast. The official church – the Curia – insists that it is the sole organiser and bases this pretext on the fact that the village feasts are religious in nature and since the Church is the guarantor of the Catholic religion in Malta, then by default, village feasts belong to the Church from beginning to end. On the other hand, the NGOs are arguing that according to the teachings of the Vatican Council, they also form part of the Church. Therefore, there is no harm if the organisers of the external village feast are the NGOs themselves.

The band clubs are arguing that the Curia’s proposal is a copy of the same rules as those prior to 1974, only under a new title. Rules whereby one needed the signature of the parish priest for practically everything. This is anachronistic and does not reflect the already established custom that the authority permits are issued for the secretaries of the associations.

I think it is wise for the NGOs to insist with the ecclesiastic authorities that because of the distinction between Church and state the duty to keep intact both village feast dimensions – civil and religious – does not lie exclusively in the Curia’s duty. Even though it is wise that constant dialogue takes place between the two parties, they should not interfere in each other’s business. Moreover, the Church should stop using religious blackmail in matters that count most to gain mileage where it knows that legally it cannot. If agreement is not reached, I believe the discussions would have failed.

The secret ingredient for discussions to succeed lies in reciprocal trust. It seems that the NGOs’ associations are willing. The ball is now in the Archbishop’s court. Whether or not he will accept this invitation is up to him.