On two occasions, the first time at Ta´ Qali and then during a ‘taħt it-tinda’ meeting transmitted on One TV late in September, Labour leader Joseph Muscat brought up “the fear of hell” to which he referred in a demagogic way, on the second occasion in a much milder tone mentioning the burial of some Labour activists in unconsecrated ground (“il-miżbla”), which occurred well before two-thirds of today´s electorate, including Muscat himself, were born.

I am sad because Muscat committed these two blunders without being provoked in any way. On the contrary, the most recent gesture coming from the Church was an excellent homily by the Archbishop at Dom Mintoff’s state funeral.

I concelebrated with the Archbishop on that occasion and made it a point to personally congratulate him.

Dr Muscat’s behaviour, on two occasions, is to be questioned. It is in stark contrast with Labour’s principal theme for the election campaign, Futur li Jgħaqqadna (A future which unites us). Such comments come across as spiteful and offend the religious sentiments of believers in this country.