Church must change its language – Mgr Scicluna
The Church has a problem with the language it uses and must do something about it, according to Malta’s new Auxiliary Bishop, who has described the institution’s public relations as a “total disaster” at times.
In an interview with The Sunday Times today, Mgr Charles Scicluna says: “We have a product which is extraordinary and we have to get our act together to bring it to as many people as possible. The way we do things at times is a total disaster and we have to be humble and say, ‘we need to do better’. We need to start using language that people understand.”
He says the Church acknowledges it could have done a better job in the divorce debate, and that it has learnt from it: “We need to tell people we are not here to impose, but that we are here to propose.”
He also says that priests must not deviate from the line set by the Archbishop and that this will be one of his tasks.
Mgr Scicluna, who has served as the Vatican’s chief prosecutor since 2002 and will be ordained bishop next month, says he learnt about his new nomination at the end of September.
When asked if he was brought in due to health problems suffered recently by Archbishop Paul Cremona, he says he thinks the Pope would have considered “the present circumstances whatever they are”.
However, he was less candid about whether he will succeed Mgr Cremona in a relatively short period of time: “I don’t have the crystal ball and I’m not Harry Potter... Time will tell.”
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Ronnie Callus
Oct 15th 2012, 09:11
Yes may be; Din bhal meta wiehed jghid 'anzjan flok xih' imma ssustanza tibqa hemm. Dak li abjad ma' tistax tghidlu iswed jew griz. It-tghaliem ta' Kristu kien car u jrid jibqa car u mhux imdardar. Il-knisja hija ahna, maghmula mill-bnedmien li mghahniex perfetti, kulhadd jistgha jizbalja. Ghalhekk wiehed irid joqghod attent x'jghid imbaghad illum li tinstema ma' l-erbgha tirjieh. Il-Fidi hikollox
Francis Sammut
Oct 14th 2012, 19:46
''The Church must change its language'' Well, well, well! So after all many who argued and complained about how the Church talks and try to reach the people are mostly correct, including Fr. R. Camilleri. And it shows that many in the Church hierarchy are not using the proper language in order to reach the faithful. Bishop of Gozo and Mgr. A. Gauci come to mind!
P. Ciantar
Oct 14th 2012, 22:25
Well said Francis. Those who really love the church agree with what you said, and I believe that Mgr Scicluna will be the answer to all this. Christ is the centre of the church not prejudice etc.
A.f Ellul
Oct 14th 2012, 18:39
The important of the church is not the language that is used only, but to teach better what Jesus has done in his life and needs to understand Jesus. The Bible is not enough to read, but need to read those books as the bible of St. Peter the one that was so closed to Jesus. And other called epigraphy
Ms.D. Galea
Oct 14th 2012, 17:44
Nothing much seems to have changed since Mons Cremona took over from Mons Mercieca eho in his time took over from Mons Gonzi.
It is hoped that Mons Scicluna will be the breath of fresh air the local church is so much in dire need of.right now.
Tony Barbaro Sant
Oct 14th 2012, 17:33
Interesting. Monsignor Scicluna's words should be noted in senior ecclesiastical circles. Particularly the very first paragraph. Gozo Bishop Mario Grech would do well to take this message to heart.
Maria Vassallo
Oct 14th 2012, 16:56
Dear Mr. Micallef,
You are one of the local prophets of doom!
Indeed, you are also one of the local prophets of gloom!
Yes, you are a negative and a pessimist!
Rightly so, you are one of the local spoilsports!
And last but not least, you are a complete failure and I presume in everything, especially in your practice of faith!
Be rest assured: you are not the only one here!
Guido Farrugia
Oct 15th 2012, 16:08
People with your taste of insulting fellow humans for the simple reason of expressing oneself's mind convinces me that i took the right step, abdicating from the church. Mgr, please take note who's harming your church.
Paul@ Micallef
Oct 14th 2012, 11:02
The first lesson that Mons Scicluna should learn is that he is now in Malta. The church leadership here lives in a world of its own. Even worse than Malta is that in Gozo. I live for a good part of the year on that island as well. After Archbishop Gonzi's disaster leadership in the 60's and 70's came that of Mons Mercieca followed by Mons Cremona. Honestly I do not believe that anything changed.
Alfred Gatt
Oct 14th 2012, 10:13
THere is a lot of work to be done. One Bishop is not enough. Another one is needed.
Geoffrey Farrugia
Oct 14th 2012, 09:59
Mgr Charles Scicluna says: “We have a product which is extraordinary and we have to get our act together to bring it to as many people as possible.
so religion, belief and Christ have now become a product???!!!!!
I'm not Harry Potter either, but if you go on talking like this, it's not long before Christianity disappears!
Tarcisio Bonello
Oct 14th 2012, 11:31
Moan, Moan, Moan..... Instead of Moaning why don't you join the Catholic Church.... it's not perfect but it's great.
V Veritier
Oct 14th 2012, 11:45
Try not to take things so literally, Mr Farrugia.
Any idea or belief can be termed a "product" if one is trying to convince you to "buy" it.
Today's world is one of marketing. Even for non-believers like myself, Mgr Scicluna brings to faith marketing more than a breath of fresh air, unlocking the local church from the stagnation and mediocrity that it finds itself in.
Evarist Saliba
Oct 14th 2012, 13:25
During his lifetime Jesus spoke the language that his contemporaries understood so as to bring His message to as many people as possible. What Mgr Charles Scicluna is not any different.
charles caruana
Oct 14th 2012, 14:35
Not to be nigglling, but even I felt the 'product' metaphor somewhat grating. Not all comtemporary language is suitable for the Gospel message. Evangelization is conversation about loving Christ and neighbour - it is supremely talk about persons and has nothing to do with commodities advertised, sold or exhanged, especially in the deseased capitalistic air we are breathing lately.
Please choose the reason of your report below: