Sunday dawned, shops opened and the pit of hell failed to open up. What did open up, however, is a very obvious position within the Church's PR department (does it even have one?)

I've already said this and I'll say it again. The Church needs to get itself a good PR strategist. Then perhaps it will stop with the wildly patronizing statements it is so fond of issuing every month or so and which only serve to prove the point that the Church itself constantly denies. The point being that, as a structured organization that expects to be treated as major stake-holder in our society, it remains hopelessly out of touch with the current collective moods and needs of Joe and Jane Bloggs.

I won't even mention the astounding "IVF is akin to abortion" declaration – the ethical and moral ramifications of that statement are simply too wide to be tackled in one post.

Let's take its latest – and equally astounding - missive to government instead: the Church, we were informed, was "unhappy with Sunday shops plan". I could almost hear the stentorian tones of censorship emanating from the news report.

For starters, the argument is nowt about shops opening on Sunday, but on public holidays.

But back to Sunday shopping. Of course the Church is sorry that the business community in Malta is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. As someone cheekily pointed out online, the Church does most of its business on Sunday and no-one likes competition. I can fully understand a certain lack of enthusiasm towards the possibility that a recalcitrant flock is more likely to wind up bargain hunting at the mall than seeking salvation for its soul on a chilled Sunday morn. The private sentiment is justified - but its public pronouncement is not.

No-one appreciates it when the Church attempts to interfere in that which belongs to Caesar. There are plenty other matters that straddle both the realm of government and of religion that need more urgent attention than whether shops should open on a Sunday or not. Such as the rampant racism Malta is afflicted with, for instance.

If only the Church took an equally strong and public position about racism as it does on the matter of Sunday trading, the renewed respect from various sectors of society - including non-believers - would be instant.

The perfect opportunity presented itself a mere two weeks ago, when an anti-racism protest was organized in Valletta. I do not believe there was any church representative giving his seal of approval, neither during nor after said protest.

Surely on the spiritual scale of priorities, being less than nice to fellow humans on the basis of the colour of their skin is a more serious matter than the odd business transaction happening on the seventh day? Put it this way, you are more likely to be carded by St Peter for racial discrimination than for being seduced by the sweet sound of the till on a Sunday. At least, I sure hope so.

And yet, the only time the Church raised its voice in protest on the issue of race was to express worry about the evils of inter-cultural marriage. Yup, definitely time for a couple of night classes in the benefits of public relations.

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