Beware wolf in sheep’s clothing – Gozo Bishop

Ms Sabrina Borda

May 20th 2011, 14:28

We have no need for a campaign for any external moral authority,

we need only our own consciences.

George Camilleri

May 18th 2011, 23:40

Well articulated, Mr Edwards. It's time for each of us to be accountable for the opinions that we are free to express. And Bishop Grech has thankfully reminded us of what it is to be (or not be) Catholics.

Mr K.M Edwards

May 18th 2011, 17:44

Whether one is pro or against divorce,and whether one is Catholic or not, one has to state objectively that It is perfectly reasonable for an organization to define what membership entails.

If you believe that divorce should be legalized, you are not Catholic - this is what the Bishop is stating, and he is stating this at Church to Catholics.

I imagine many pro-divorce people are comfortable with their position being outside of the Catholic Church, as many anti-divorce people are comfortable being Catholic.

The only people who would be surprised by the bishop's remarks would be those not properly informed of their Catholic faith - that is those who are tending to want legalized divorce but want to also call themselves Catholic. The Catholic Church (and the Bishop) says that this is not possible. The decision for people in this quandry then becomes: (a) Do I change my thinking on divorce? (b) Do I re-evaluate my religious affiliation?

A third question that some honest but struggling people may ask is: Is the Bishop correct in stating that one cannot be Catholic and vote in favor of divorce?

And that becomes a question of Catholic doctrine. One which, by the way, is answered quite easily. The Catholic council of Trent declared anathema on anyone who believed the Church was wrong in its teachings on the indissolubility of marriage and condemnation of legalizing divorce - remember this was in the immediate follow up to the Protestant Reformation which largely permitted divorce. One who votes in favor of the legalization of divorce is really stating that the Church's teaching on marriage and divorce is wrong, and therefore falls outside of the Catholic faith.

One has the privilege or freedom to disagree and separate from the Catholic Church if one disagrees.

But one cannot fault a Catholic Bishop for telling Catholics in a Catholic Church what Catholic teaching is.

Mr Emmanuel Bonnici

May 18th 2011, 15:47

The whole issue about divorce is whether the couple has the right to split apart, when their relationship dies out, or continue living together till death do them part.

I compare marriage with fresh yeast which has to be kept in the right conditions in order to keep it alive till the next day, when the baker adds new ingredients including sugar (to feed the yeast). Unless this process is done, the yeast will remain dormant and finally dies out.

Marriage is the same. It is a living body needing ‘sugar’ and other ingredients in order to keep on flourishing from one day to the next and let’s be fair, it does not always taste sweet no?
However, with a bit of understanding and dialogue, the sourly taste can easily be removed.
On the other hand, if marriage will be left untreated, it can easily turn stale to the point of being irreparable.

My argument starts here. We have to analyse what are we stating when we declare
during our wedding ceremony, to each other, the below promise:

"I, take you, to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

The whole issue is by what we mean by “bad times”. Is this implying when one starts beating his wife, she has to remain with him, under the same roof, risking her life, till death do her (really) part?!

Does this mean that one permits having his spouse in constant extra marital affairs – maybe the 1st time he / she is pardoned, but then do we have to keep on forgiving the action if this does not cease. Apart from the constant suffering and the feeling of being uncared for and unloved, there is always the risk of becoming sexually infected with one of the various STDs

I believe that God created marriage between man and woman, not to be a suffering, continuous tragedy, ‘sakemm Alla jehilsek minn din id-dinja’, but a wholesome loving experience.

Living in an unhealthy relationship due to the irresponsibility of one’s partner, for me is unacceptable.

I don’t agree with you Mgr Grech, when you say that you cannot be a “Catholic and in favour of divorce”.
Personally, although happily married by Catholic rites, I am in favour of Divorce as I don’t believe that the wedding vows – for worse - are referring to domestic violence or extra marital relationships.
I also don’t believe that by introducing Divorce, the couple is prone to become more unfaithful and lax.

My final question is: In the wedding vow, one has not to forget “I promise to be true to you”. If this promise is broken, the whole vow becomes null no? That’s why you declare it in front of God. By lying around, or subjecting your partner to domestic violence, this is far from the promise declared during the wedding ceremony, of being true or faithful.

Mr Alex Buds

May 18th 2011, 15:24

"Beware wolf in sheep’s clothing – Gozo Bishop"

My goodness! When I saw the headline of this article I talked the bishop was talking about the disgusting and dangerous problem of priests abusing children!

But no... looks like that is much less of a problem than legislation permitting responsible divorce to him, and to some of the other posters here.

Ms Maria Vella

May 18th 2011, 15:17

Alla jbierek kemm hawn nies li jifhmu f'dan il-pajjiz

Mr Aristide Galea

May 18th 2011, 11:20

Beware of the wolf in sheep clothing. And the wolf is saying that he is Catholic. This is falsity,this is deceit. I am ready to dialogue with everyone,but don't be false,do not lie.

This is part of the homily,that the Bishop Gozo Mario Grech made during the Mass of Confirmation to young children last Sunday.

I totally agree with his holyness,when he said,that the wolf can be dressed as sheep. Not only as sheep,but it can olso be dressed as a priest,a bishop a cardinal or even as a pope. Some recient stories and episodes from the past can be of a light to us all.
So as you can see,everybody can be a wolf dressed as a sheep. Remember that when you point your finger at others,because as you surely know,you have more then one pointing at you.

Will his Holyness be kind enough to answer this question? If I vote in favour for the introduction of devorce,with the intention that I personnally will not be making use of it, would I'l be commiting a grave sin? I want a simple answer,YES or NO.

On the Official Doctrine of the Catholic Church published on the Vatican Official Website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc-css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm you can find the following.

PART THREE LIFE IN CHRIST.
SECTION TWO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER TWO "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF"
Article 6
The sixth commandment

You shall not commit adultery. 113

You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already commited adultery with her in his heart. 114

2381 Adultery is an injustice. He who commit adultery fails in his commitment. He does injury to the sign of the covenant which the marriage bond is,transgresses the rights of the other spouse,and undermines the institution of marriage by breaking the contract on which it is based. He compromises the good of human generation and the welfare of children who needs their perents' stable union.

Devorce
2382 The Lord Juses insisted on the original intention of the Creator who willed that marriage be indissoluble.174 He abrogates the accomodation that had slipped into the old law.175

Between the baptized, "a ratified and consumed marriage cannot be dessolved by any human power or for any other reason other then death." 176

2383 The separation of spouses while maintaining the marraige bond can be legitimate in certain cases provided by the conon law. 177
If devorce remain the only possable way of ensuring certain civil rights,the care of children,or the protection of inheritance,it cam be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offence.

If the Catholic Church can tolerate devorce between two baptized persons in certain cases according to the conon law, why it is opposing devorce between couples that does not belong to the Catholic Faith?

Why it is opposing Devorce to couples married by civil law,when it doesn't recognise these marriages?

This year We have celebrated our 36 year of marriage and we have no intention to make use of this law if it is introduced,but we feel that we should vote in favour of the introduction of devorce because if the Church can tolerate devorce in certain cases,why shouldn't we?

Mr Matthew Grima

May 18th 2011, 10:27

How much did your clothing cost Mr. Grech?

Mr Matthew Vella

May 18th 2011, 09:51

Well said. I am 24 years old and I totally aggree with the Bishop's speech.

Illum il-gurnata hafna nies jahsbu li huma kattolici ghax immorru l-quddies il-Hadd (u forsi matul il-gimgha ukoll). Imma tkun kattoliku jekk verament temmen u tobdi dak li tghidlek il-knisja u timxi fuq it-tghalim ta Gesu Kristu. Ma tistax tghid li int kattoliku jekk taqbel mad-divorzju, l-abbort or l-ewtanasja.

Il-knisja mhux xi pizza 'quattro stagioni' tiekol il-bicca li tghogbok u l-kumplament thalliha hemm, ma tistax tghazel biss dak li jaghmel sens ghalik u l-kumplament ma taghtix kasu. Il-kattoliku hu dak li verament jifhem it-tghalim tal-knisja u jobdi (mhux ghax bilfors imma ghax jaf li din hi il-hajja tan-nisrani, li taghmel sens).

Ghalhekk jekk int ma taqbilx ma l-affarijiet fundamentali tal-knisja, int ma tistax tghid li int kattoliku u ma tistax titqarben lanqas.

Jekk int Kattoliku prattikant MA TISTAX tivvota IVA, u jekk tivvota IVA int ma tistax tghid li int Nisrani. Jekk mintix Nisrani ghandek id-dritt tivvota kif trid.

Gesu Kristu lill-appostili qalilhom 'Tridux titilqu intom ukoll?'. U l-knisja ghandha tghamel l-istess. Ghanda tkun cara u mhux toqod tibza titkellem. Min ma jridx jibqa Nisrani ghax ma jaqbilx mat-tghalim tal-knisja dan jista jitlaq, hadd ma hu qed izzommhom. Gesu Kristu 'jobzqu' lil-dak il bniedem biered - li la hu kiesah u lanqas shun.

Ma nistghux nibqghu inkunu 'doppja facca' immorru l-quddies, nitqarbnu u nippretendu li ahna kattolici u mbghad nighxu kif jidrilna!!

Mr Dr. Geoffrey Schembri Adami Med. Vet.

May 18th 2011, 00:41

Msgr. Grech is not the first and only bishop to speak in such a manner. In 1972, when there was the referendum on divorce in Italy, the Patriarch of Venice, the Servant of God Cardinal Albino Luciani, who a few years later would be elected to the throne of Peter as Pope John Paul I, and is to be beatified in the coming years, caused a sensation throughout the country when he suppressed the FUCI (Federation of Italian Catholic University Students) branch in Veneto and the student community of San Trovaso who were campaigning in support of the introduction of divorce in Italy, as these organizations claimed that divorce should be legal so that people could be free to choose for themselves. And he made it very clear that politicians and public personalities known throughout the country (such as journalists, film actors and media personalities) who professed themselves as Catholics but then were campaigning for divorce to be introduced and legalized in Italy could not receive Holy Communion until they publicly admitted that they were in the wrong. This also created a great sensation throughout Italy. This much loved Pope who governed the Church for only 33 days in 1978 is greatly remembered for his humanity, and infact is affectionately known as 'the Pope with God's smile.' But on matters of faith and of Catholic doctrine, Papa Luciani was extremely intransigent, and did not hesitate to take drastic measures when necessary, even if he surely dreaded to do so.

When Alexander the Great once learned that among his soldiers there was one who was also called Alexander, the king sent for him and told him: “You bear my name, so you must live up to my name and to what I expect from one who has my name.” Likewise, a Christian bears the name of Christ, and therefore must live up to this name by living according to the expectations of Christ.

To all those who call themselves ‘Christians’ but favour the entry of divorce, which is contrary to the Teachings of Christ on the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage, as God instituted right from the very beginning of creation (much before Jesus elevated marriage to a sacrament, making it a divine pathway leading to holiness) and as He wills it from all, even from non- Christians, may they recall the following words of the Divine Master whom they claim to love and serve:
- “Not whoever says: 'Lord! Lord! enters the kingdom of Heaven, but whoever does the Will of My Father in Heaven”
- “He who loves Me follows My Commandments and abides by My Word. Those who do not follow My Commandments and do not keep My Word, do not Love Me.”
- “Those who declare themselves for Me and defend My Teachings before men, I will defend them before My Father in Heaven. But those who are shy of Me and disown My Word in the presence of men, I will disown them when they appear before My Father in Heaven.”

The Apostle James, son of Alphaeus, known for his strict righteousness as ‘James the Just’, and who was probably also a relative of Christ Himself, wrote in his Epistle: “The same God who said: ‘Do not commit murder’ and ‘Do not steal’, also said: ‘Do not commit adultery.’ Even if you do not commit murder or steal, you have become a breaker of God’s law if you commit adultery, just as much as one who murders or steals”. And his brief epistle, he also writes: “Show me your faith in God and your love for Christ through your actions!” and also “Those who remain passive or indifferent before what is sinful and evil, are responsible for this before God. And those who consent to or collaborate with was is sinful and evil have to answer to Him for it”

I also remind ‘practising Catholics’ the words of Saint John Mary Vianney(1786- 1859). the Curé of Ars: “To dissent from the teachings of Christ and of His Church in any important matter of faith or morals, especially those related to God’s Commandments, such as with regards to the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage, as God wills it and has established right from the very beginning of creation, is to automatically separate oneself from Christ, to lose one’s communion with Him, and to violate, nullify and loose one’s Catholic identity. Whoever is in this situation cannot call himself a Catholic, nor consider himself as a disciple of Christ. Those who dissent from the teachings of Christ and of His Church on such fundamental issues, are choosing to serve their own pride, their own selfishness, their own lust, their own comfort, instead of loving and serving God by following His Commandments. These people think that they know as much as God, or even more than Him, so they do not need to follow the Divine Word of His Son and the teachings of His Church. That same self-pride that led to the fall of Adam and Eve, who wanted to become like God”!

Mr Saliba Francis

May 17th 2011, 22:12

@ all those who seem to be dumbfounded by Bishop Grech's warning to beware of wolves who come in sheep's clothing:

Bishop Grech did not say anything new; he was only quoting what Christ himself said two thousand years ago. Evidently it bears repeating for the benefit of those modern Catholics who "practice" a personal style of "Catholicism" in their own exclusive and peculiar way.

Gerry Cowie

May 17th 2011, 19:55

What a pity that the humanist, secularist, athiest movement is out in force for their usual knock at the Church! Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, as we all know. Therefore those who use it below only show themselves up!

The pro movement is not helped by such persons. However they are simply helping the pro movement to become the ever stronger secret weapon of the anti movement.

If they could only desist from Church-bashing and just look at themselves and their comments, they might be able to carry people with them. But when all you have in your armoury is sarcasm, what can you expect?

Mr James Tyrrell

May 17th 2011, 19:16

Looking at this as a non religious person it appears to me from comments appearing in the various papers that Gozo Bishop Mario Grech's comments on this subject are damaging relations between the Church and it's congregation. Is he aware of this? Is he actually trying to drive people away from the Church?

Mr Joe Zammit

May 17th 2011, 16:33

Christ founded his one holy apostolic Church and guaranteed her existence until the end of time. The members of this Church were called Christians for the first time at Antioch. Sometime later, in the first century, St Ignatius of Antioch called this same Church “Catholic”, that is, universal.

Today the Catholic Church counts over one billion members. There are over 5,000 bishops and over 400,000 priests.

There are millions of converts who came into the Catholic Church in the last few years who were versed in the teachings of their previous churches, some who were even proudly anti-Catholic. However, in their quest to prove Catholicism wrong, many found the Catholic Church to be the one Jesus founded.

Often, converts say three things kept them from Catholicism: the Eucharist, Mary and the Papacy. When they are asked what brought them into the Catholic Church, they basically give the same answer: the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother and the Holy Father, or the magisterium. They knew little about these topics until they read the early Church Fathers and saw the continuum of 2,000 years of the Catholic Church’s history and teachings.

The travels of John Paul II together with the setting up of World Youth Day continued to attract millions to the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI is likewise being warmly welcomed wherever he goes.

Never has there been such a growth in the life of the Catholic Church as is occurring today throughout the world.

Mr Joe Zammit

May 17th 2011, 16:32

The strength of the Catholic Church is in her founder: Jesus Christ. He is eternal and has already guaranteed the survival of his one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church until the end of time. In the meantime the Catholic Church is also in Purgatory and in Heaven. Later on, after the end of the word, the whole Catholic Church will be only in heaven FOR EVER!

Christ and his Catholic Church are not worried in any way about numbers. Those who follow Christ will do so for their own good. The others will be cast in hell for ever, while Christ and his Church will be in eternal bliss.

The Catholic Church was persecuted by the Roman Emperors. The Emperors disappeared and the Catholic Church has taken the very place of these emperors and is still growing strong in holiness and in numbers.

Blessed are those who are faithful to Christ and his Catholic Church because they will be pleasing God and experience the great joy God has reserved for those who love him.

Victor Pulis

May 17th 2011, 16:18

“I augur that yours is not an empty promise... adults make certain promises that turn out to be empty words,"
Did he havein mind also those priests who let go of the plough and marry?

“We have a lot of nice doors but when you knock on them they are not the door to life but doors that lead to destruction. The door of life is one... If we want to find the right door shortly... and adults understand what I am trying to say... do not make a mistake, there is only one door...”

Are we to believe that all the other religions lead to hell? Are catholic marriages(some of them at least) the only successful ones?

We are taking the good bishop's advice and watching out for wolves in sheep's clothing.

Ms Sabrina Borda

May 17th 2011, 15:12

Beware of that shepherd who says he holds the key to the door.

Very strange indeed, what next !? will he assume he hold the keys to the Pearly Gates now too? !!!.

George Debono

May 17th 2011, 14:58

So, the boxing gloves are off, it is now bare fists !

This attitude is a disservice to Catholicism.

Mr R. Abela

May 17th 2011, 14:18

“Beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. And the wolf is now saying he is Catholic. This is a falsity, this is deceit. I am ready to dialogue with everyone but do not be false, do not lie. You cannot not be loyal to Christ and say you are a Christian or a Catholic. If you are not in communion with Christ’s teachings, you are not in communion with the Church and you cannot receive communion... we cannot pretend to be in communion with the Eucharist, so that everybody can understand me.”


1. When I was young we were teahed that if you touch a HOLY COMMUNION with your had it was a big sin.
2. If you eat meat on fridays was a sin. But rich people eating a Grouper fish, is not a sin.
3. If a person expose himself nude infront of a mirror in the bathroom is a sin.
4. If you eat or drink after midnight you are not allowed to recieve the HOLLY COMMUNION otherwise is a
sin
5. Married couples conseuming their marriage during Lent time *RANDAN* was a sin.
6. Voting to particular political parties, or reading their papers was a sin.
7. Never ending list of sins etc... etc...
What was a Sin 40 years ago today is a laugh.
What is a sin today tomorrow will be a cry.
VOTE YES WITHOUT ANYBODY SCARE YOU WITH THE BABAW.

Once a friend of mine, a farmer who was almost 90 years old expressed these words of wisedom with me, "THE CHURCH MADE OUR LIVES ALWAYS GUILTY OF SOMETING WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS THIS GUILT"

Mr Mario Debono

May 17th 2011, 14:12

‎"Beware wolf in sheep’s clothing" – Gozo Bishop Mario Grech
Is the catholic church in any position to call others wolves???

Mr Malcolm Seychell

May 17th 2011, 14:07

Miskin min ghadu jiehu bis serjeta il knisja. B nies bhal dan fit tmexxija min ghandu bzonn ghedewwa?

Ms Martina Baldacchino

May 17th 2011, 14:05

brainwashing! storytelling! bla bla bla....church grow up & move on

Ms S Micallef

May 17th 2011, 12:22

coming from Bishop Grech it just makes it sound all the more hypocritical.....

Mr Paul Barrett

May 17th 2011, 11:56

So, within this article, If you vote yes to divorce legislation:

There is no threat of a mythical hell and damnation.
There is no actual directive that you will not receive communion.

It does however scrape extremely close to trying to influence the referendum vote by veiled threats - at least at the brainwashed and gullible.

There is absolutely no way that the Church will actually know your individual secret vote unless you tell them and it is, I believe, against civil law for them to coerce you in any form of a threat (physical, mental or religious pressure) to vote or reveal your secret vote.

Matt Azzopardi

May 17th 2011, 11:30

wow!!! what tolerance............
Mgr Mario, please grow up............
I am not in favour of divorce for the simple reason that I do not need it.......moreover 3 million euro for a referendum is a joke &
I agree that itl be introduced ( at no expence), then, whoever needs it will look through his concience an decide for himself.
Your preaching puts me off, and pushes me further away from the church......... again please grow up!!!

Mr Edwin Vella

May 17th 2011, 11:20

As a Catholic, I find this Bishop's statment very shocking. I have been happily married for 30 years but I still beleive that, who am I to deny the right to those couples that their marriage did not work out and start a new life? Does it mean that whoever had an annulament, a civil separation or a divorce as proposed in this bill is not a practiced Catholic?
After all the divorce bill that we shall be voting for, binds only the civil marriage laws.

Mr Alfred Hili

May 17th 2011, 10:44

The Gozo Bishop has made it very clear: Voting yes in the referendum is a sin, even worse than other sins because you are being cut off from communion with the church. When committing other sins you can ask for forgiveness, go to confession and then receive Holy Communion. But when you don't follow Christ's teaching, you are completely cut off. Correct me if I misunderstood !
I'm afraid the real problem is lack of commitment when people get marrid nowadays. Before church marriage, the church must make sure the spouses are really committed; "for better and for worse till death do us part". If there is no real committment, families are bound to break sooner or later.

Ramon Casha

May 17th 2011, 10:41

"Beware wolf in sheep’s clothing – Gozo Bishop"

Is it true that a bishop's mitre is there to hide the pointed ears?

Mr Paul Licari

May 17th 2011, 09:58

Bravo, Mgr. Grech
Catholics should adhere to the Gospel and follow Christ's teaching.
Paul Licari

Mr Joe Gatt

May 17th 2011, 09:43

“And the wolf is now saying he is Catholic.

Exactly Mr Archbishop, your quote may go hand in hand with another saying, a leopard cannot change it`s spots.

May I humble point out, as one could not help notice, that whilst you surround yourself with wealth and glittery attire, others in this poor old earth, MAY Be desperately perishing from lack of nourishment.

Just in case you may not care to notice.

Ms N Buttigieg

May 17th 2011, 09:39

Mela l-ewwel is-Sur Mario Grech jitfa l-lixka, mbaghad kif xi hadd jippresah jekk hux ha jcahhad lil xi hadd mit-tqarbin ghax jkun ivvota IVA dan ma jwegibx.

Knisja tal-Misthija.

Ms N Buttigieg

May 17th 2011, 09:38

Lis-Sur Mario Grech nghidlu li jien kburi li jien Brigant, Lupu jew Falz kif irrefera ghalija huwa. Pero jien mhiniex Ipokrita bhal haddiehor. Quddiem Alla kburi li bil-vot tieghi ha naghti cans lil haddiehor biex isib il-kuntentizza f'hajtu u biex din il-persuna f'hajjitha jkollha aktar drittijiet.

Quddiem Alla ghandi ragun! Jekk ma jridx iqarbini dik jaraha huwa. Iz-Zmien jurina li d-Dnub huwa ha jkun ghamlu u mhux jiena.

Victor Rodenas

May 17th 2011, 09:37

Many church weddings are held by non practising Catholics ,with Holy Communion et all. Will they be stopped?

Mr Joe Borg

May 17th 2011, 09:34

To all the Catholics...

I urge you to say a prayer right now - not that divorce may pass through, and neither that it does not - but that His Will be done.