I have recently read the letters about the George Cross debacle and our national colours. St Augustine says: non licet ponere Christum super Christum. It is not right to put Christ over Christ. I guesss St Stephen’s words are well fitted: Nothing renewed besides what was given.

First of all the George Cross was given for gallantry during World War II. The Maltese suffered during that war because they were British. Malta became British through the free will of the islanders (inscription on the Main Guard Building in Valletta).

The contrary can be said about the Order’s rule. It is said that the intention of the Turks assaulting the Maltese islands was not a religious one: the Turks were fed up of the Order’s piracy.

To those who wish to put the eight-pointed cross on our national flag let it be known that the eight-pointed cross is a chivalric one. It is not used solely by the Order of St John but by many other orders too. If am not mistaken it is also used by the Italian navy.

May I ask the reason why the change of the cross on our national colours?

The important buildings left by the Order were not a gift to the Maltese. The Maltese suffered under the Order and were treated as “second-class citizens”.

They were deprived of the privileges every Grand Master swore to guard, many were imprisoned and religious orders were prevented from recruiting new members.