An Annus Horribilis?

In my commentary of January 2, 2011, I had predicted that 2011 would probably be more troublesome and controversial for the Church than 2010. I do not think I was awfully off the mark.

The bishops’ appeal to renew ourselves as a Church provides a challenge and an opportunity- Fr Joe Borg

This was, after all, the year of the divorce referendum debacle and the year when two religious priests were condemned to prison for child abuse. (An appeal is still in progress from that sentence.) Both events shocked the Church in Malta, though in different ways.

Many in the Church never believed there would be such a big pro-divorce majority in the referendum. This was not mainly the result of a number of tactical mistakes on the part of the Church.

The fundamentalism of some in the anti-divorce movement proved to be not only passé but downright counterproductive.

The majority reflects a majority which truly exists. The result showed that our country has changed. The main argument that won the day for the pro-divorce movement and which did not have a culturally credible answer by the anti-divorce group was the following: a yes vote does not mean anyone is forced to divorce; it only means one is free to divorce.

I know there are counter-arguments (and in my own opinion, very valid ones). But the way the country has changed made the counter-arguments culturally not credible.

The country has moved towards new paradigms. Subjectivism, the value of the individual, relativism, ‘rights’ of the minority and freedom of choice are some of the parameters of these new paradigms.

In the current scenario the Church cannot rest its mind on obedience to authority, laws and friendly politicians to promote its ethos and value systems.

The cultural arena, not the legal one, is the one that should be fostered by the Church.

The second blow to the Church was the court sentence in the case of two religious priests who were found guilty of child abuse. There is an appeal whose result is, quite naturally, very important for the individuals concerned.

However, the result of the appeal is of no consequence to the Church. Through its most authoritative tribunals, the Church has already decreed that minors were abused by the religious in question.

The scandal of child abuse has rocked the very foundations of the Church in many countries. As we say in Maltese, we are ‘ward u zgħar’ compared to other countries. The foresight of Archbishop Joseph Mercieca in setting up the Response Team and the prompt attitude of our current bishops have avoided greater harm.

Towards the end of the year the Church avoided a probable third disappointment. A decision was taken not to organise the Mass census alongside the national census; an appointment that had been respected for quite a number of years. Had the Mass census been held we would probably have been faced with a minority of Sunday Mass attendance in contrast to a majority for divorce.

One hopes the decision not to hold the census was taken for valid technical reasons, not because we were afraid to face this disappointing reality. The fear to face things as they are is worse than the cause of the fear itself.

Does this threesome make 2011 an annus horribilis for the Church? I am by nature an optimist. Besides, my theology does not let me be a pessimist.

I have repeatedly said that we live in interesting times, not miserable times. Out of the ashes we produce, the Spirit is capable to bring forth a new creation. However, we are in duty bound to do our part.

The bishops’ appeal, in their Advent pastoral letter, to have the courage to renew ourselves as a Church, provides us with a challenge and an opportunity. Pity us if the opportunity is not grasped.

joseph.borg@um.edu.mt