I realise that you’re probably all getting tired of hearing about IVF. However, given the right pig’s ear that is being made of the whole issue (quelle surprise), it is impossible to pretend that all is fine.

First we had justice minister Chris Said totally putting his foot in it, announcing with a straight face that government’s interest is to have families where children are raised by a father and a mother.

Then we had the National Council for Women (NCW) making a farce out of the very values they’re supposed to support by saying that IVF should not be made available to same-sex couples. Really, NCW? Let’s get this straight – you’re perfectly fine with discrimination against other sectors of society as long as you yourselves are not affected?

Next we had the so-called pro-lifers  - a descriptor that makes me wince and that implies that whoever doesn’t sign on their dotted line is advocating mass murder – telling us that having kids “is not a right”.

You don’t say, Sherlock. Of course it’s not a right. But naybe you should tell this to all those straight and married couples who treat their children like chattel. And there are quite number of these, take my word for it. Because contrary to what the the conservative camp believes, being straight and married does not automatically make you a worthy parent.

We reached new heights of ridicule last weekend, with a clerical missive that was as arrogant as it was insensitive. And please, do not start with your accusations of “church bashing”.

I am always amazed how, whenever I dare criticise any aspect/action of the church in Malta, the stone-throwers come out in full force. And the accusation is always the same: “You’re only bashing the church because you think it’s cool.”

Well, no.

I am not “bashing” the church because it’s “cool”. Firstly because no-one really uses that word anymore. And secondly because I’m not a thirteen-year-old trying to rebel against the system. I’m an adult who likes to call a spade a spade.

Which means that when government messes up, I call them out. When the opposition messes up, I do the same. So no, I am not going to stop calling a spade by its rightful name simply because people mistake it for “church bashing”.

Last weekend’s IVF letter is a case in point. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. The church, like any other massive organisation, is in dire need of a good PR strategist. The timing itself of the letter was already unfortunate. Suspect, even, if you’re inclined to be cynical.

When you add the condescending tones of its content – and the way that it was guaranteed to make any would-be parent see red – it becomes a clear PR disaster.

Cardinal Prospero Grech has just gone on record saying that there is a limit to the church’s flexibility on fundamental issues. I tend to agree. The church has its rules, take them or leave them. I was not one of those who ever expected to see a sudden u-turn in favour of divorce, for instance.

And neither do I expect a u-turn in favour of same-sex relationships and unrestricted IVF options.

What I do expect, on the other hand is compassion. Many couples are already being forced to face the reality that IVF – and, as an extension, parenthood – is not going to be an option for them in their own country because of a half-baked law.

Do we really need to rub salt in that wound by hectoring them about what the church expects?  However, all my respect goes to Fr Rene Camilleri for acting according to his own personal values in the whole saga. Together with some other members of the clergy, he refused to read out the pastoral letter.

We need more of this kindness and gentlemanly behaviour.