Good luck Tonio!
Next Tuesday Dr Tonio Borg, Malta Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will face the appropriate committee of the European Parliament in a hearing which is part of the procedure adopted before someone can become a Commissioner of the European Union. The candidature proposed by the Government has the support of the Partit Laburista.
In my commentary in The Sunday Times of November 4 I noted that Tonio Borg would not worry if a sense of fairness prevails. But I also expressed doubts whether this sense of fairness exists. The reason for my doubting is the existence of an anti-Christian secularist lobby in the EU Parliament and the existence of secularist NGOs which will be vigorously protesting outside the building. I wrote that they are out for Tonio’s blood not because he is Tonio Borg but because he espouses Christian values. It is the Christian ethos which is so much hated by the secularists that will be under attack.
The fears expressed by me were today expressed by the Brussels-based European Dignity Watch. The Watch has hit out at what it sees as a coordinated campaign opposing the nomination of Tonio Borg to the European Commission.
European Dignity Watch describes itself as an NGO which “advocates, protects and defends free and just societies which are based on and depend of three fundamental pillars: the right to life, the family and freedom. We defend these core values as non-negotiable fundaments of any democratic society.”
Dignity Watch advocates the fundamental freedoms and personal responsibility, which bring about rights and duties. They focus on: the freedom to act according to one’s conscience, to express one’s opinion, to act according to a religion or belief, not only privately, but also publicly, and the freedom for parents to educate their children according to their values.
Dignity Watch seeks protection for the family which is based on and respects the complementarity of a man and a woman cultivating stable relationships as the basis of a fulfilled family life.
In a statement, the NGO noted the consistent negative campaign that has been going on ever since the candidature of Tonio Borg was announced.
I followed this campaign as much as can be. I could not but notice that this campaign was based on statements taken out of context, half-truths, full blown lies and innuendoes. There are also clear indications that the campaign was fuelled by like-minded persons from Malta. Shame on them!
Dignity Watch points its fingers to the European Humanist Federation, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). Anyone who cares to visit the site of these associations will immediately notice their anti-Christian bias. I suggest that their position is fundamentally anti-European. The European ethos is based on pluralism. But these NGO are based on intolerance. They are so intolerant that they believe that there is only a place for their ideas in contemporary Europe. Anyone who has a different perspective is anathema. Ironically they parade their intolerance in the name of tolerance!
To add insult to injury the issues which they mention, for example, abortion, same-sex ‘marriage’ and divorce do not fall under EU competence!
There is no doubt that Tonio Borg will be fully prepared. He is amply qualified and is clever enough not to fall into the traps that the secularists will try to lead him into. The spirit of fairness of the secularist fundamentals is the only lingering doubt.
I repeat the conclusion of my Sunday Times commentary of November 4:
“On November 13, will the anti-Christian secularist lobby behave in the spirit of positive laïcité or in the spirit of fundamentalism? It the latter is their choice, they would have failed the test, not Tonio Borg.”
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Andy Farrugia
Nov 16th 2012, 16:35
Dr Borg has earned the honour of being the practising Catholic who has finally unmasked the charade of assorted goons and nihilists in that hall of muck and mire, sleaze and slime. He will be the first Commissioner of the EU to have to sign a declaration (which does not in ANY way compromise his beliefs) and he CANNOT be rejected. PERIOD. Well done; an outstanding historic performance, Dr Borg.
David Seychell
Nov 14th 2012, 11:08
"I wrote that they are out for Tonio’s blood not because he is Tonio Borg but because he espouses Christian values."
And you're not the only one who wrote that:
http://www.turtlebayandbeyond.org/2012/ippf/european-union-anti-religious-hate-groups-join-forces-to-oust-catholic-politician/
Patrik Larsson
Nov 15th 2012, 09:05
Again, what "Turtle Bay and Beyond" completely fail to see is that not a single person have objected on the grounds of Dr Borg being a Christian. There are numerous Christian commissioners, hence having a Christian belief is not an issue here.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 15th 2012, 11:09
@P Larsson.
Christians may survive in the European Union if they renounce the open practice of the religion of their choice as they are entitled by the UN declaration of fundamental human rights that also protects them from discriminatory treatment. You are only tolerated if you behave as a catacomb Christian. Only atheists, abortionists, LGBTs may flaunt publicly their likes and dislikes.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 15th 2012, 17:14
@ Patrick Larsson
Stop spinning Larsson.......the issue is about Dr Tonio Borg being a PRACTISING (as opposed to NOMINAL) Catholic. All else is irrelevant; but some of you are very proficient in spinning, weaving, and equivocating .
Andy Farrugia
Nov 15th 2012, 17:14
@ Patrick Larsson
Stop spinning Larsson.......the issue is about Dr Tonio Borg being a PRACTISING (as opposed to NOMINAL) Catholic. All else is irrelevant; but some of you are very proficient in spinning, weaving, and equivocating .
Kurt Waschnig
Nov 12th 2012, 15:08
After careful consideration of Dr Borg´s past declarations on homosexuality, gay and civil rights, I am of the opinion that Dr Borg´s appointment would be a serious risk to the principles of fundamental rights and a strong signal of departure by the European Commission from those principles.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 12th 2012, 17:10
You lack any kind of credibility, Herr Waschnig and i can prove that by supplying any number of contradictory statements you have made as well as your not-so-hidden agendas. You are only interested in the demonisation of upright outstanding individuals. If there was no word limit to these comments I would supply you with a detailed dossier of your contradictions and agendas.
Kurt Waschnig
Nov 12th 2012, 14:06
The Times of Malta reported on Thursday, November8, 2012 that a journalist asked “if the Commission was aware of German MEPs investigating allegations that Dr Borg received a €150,000 bribe to give a residence permit to billionaire Rakhat Aliyev. “
I am sure Dr Borg will face serious questions to this allegation.
Kurt Waschnig
Nov 12th 2012, 13:35
A sense of fairness should prevail on Tuesday when Dr Borg will face a hearing with the Committee of the European Union. Dr Borg´s past declarations on homosexuality, gay and civil rights will play an important role.
I personally would be very pleased if Dr Borg did not get support on Socialist´s MEPs and that he does not get the necessary approval.
Patrik Larsson
Nov 12th 2012, 10:48
I'm not qualified to answer whether the opinions mentioned affect the remit he is being hired for, but let's not start distorting facts here please. It's not his Catholicism that is being criticised and no facts to the contrary has been shown.
Alex Ellul
Nov 12th 2012, 13:15
Mr. Larsson, you know exactly what our opinions, as Catholics, are. We do not accept abortion and sodomite 'marriage'. The anti-Christians are objecting to his application because of his beliefs. This is tyrannical and reminds me of apartheid, communism and dictatorships.
Patrik Larsson
Nov 12th 2012, 14:43
Alex Ellul:
Dr Borg is being criticised because of his opinions and actions. The fact that they are formed from his religion is completely irrelevant.
He is being criticised mainly for a) his view on abortion, b) his view on divorce and c) the treatment of immigrants in Malta. There are Catholics that are pro-choice and most Catholics are not against divorce legislation.
Patrik Larsson
Nov 12th 2012, 14:44
In fact, Mr Ellul, I'd challenge you to show me one piece of evidence of people objecting to his application on the grounds of him being a Catholic.
You simply can't.
Patrik Larsson
Nov 12th 2012, 10:47
I think this blog article is wrong on so many levels.
For starters, the criticism against Dr. Borg has not been that he is a Christian, but rather due to his actions and opinions - which are both up for criticism for such an important role.
Continued...
Mr l Azzopardi
Nov 12th 2012, 09:17
From what you say and how you say it many here seem to be quite upset with what is about to unfold at the EP. Many in the past have on many occasions spoken highly about the EU. Now all of a sudden a change of heart.
Were you unaware of what the EU stands for when you voted or you just voted because Eddie told you so?
Say Mea culpa and take responsability. U r not kids anymore.
Kurt Waschnig
Nov 11th 2012, 15:58
Mr Andy Farrugia says “And I would love to read the inane, irrelevant, provocative questions of some of the nihilistic desperadoes in that hall of sleaze and bilge!
Does Mr Andy Farrugia mean the members of the Committee of the European Parliament ?
The members of this committee are human beings and not “ nihilistic desperadoes”
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 11th 2012, 19:06
@ K Waschnig.
It is to be presumed that all "nihilistic desperadoes" would always belong to the human race (to be human beings) but not necessarily prime specimens. What is the point you are trying to make?
Andy Farrugia
Nov 11th 2012, 19:37
Herr Waschnig, even the members of the Reichstag and the Politburo were human beings, and that did not excuse their monstrosities. As for the nihilistic desperadoes I am referring in particular to the likes of intolerant bigots like Ms Wikstrom , ILGA, Humanists, Liberals, Ippf, and other extremists.
And you haven't yet answered me about the foulest form of mass extermination..Abortion.
Mr l Azzopardi
Nov 12th 2012, 09:19
Andy in your comments you always sound very hostile and scared. Why are you so afraid?
charles caruana
Nov 11th 2012, 15:22
Good article Fr Borg. I can't help noticing, and gladly I must say, that even you are realising that the secularist liberal movement, of both left and right, is becoming more widespread and aggressive in the Western world and more hellbent on silencing and ousting the whole Christian ethos that has formed the backbone of Western civilisation.Consult Benedict XVI for further brilliant elucidations
Kurt Waschnig
Nov 11th 2012, 15:19
I wish Dr Tonio Borg a spirit of fairness in the hearing which will take place next week. Fr Joe a sense of fairness can prevail why not? Wait for the hearing and the result.
This is democracy and it shows that it works properly. Dr Borg will be well prepared for the hearing. But I do not believe that there is a coordinated campaign against his nomination.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 11th 2012, 19:37
Therefore, Herr Waschnig you are saying that European Dignity Watch are liars. Well done, Herr Waschnig......we now know what you think and believe...you lack any form of credibility.
Gordon Hide
Nov 11th 2012, 15:13
This piece doesn't say what Tonio Borg stands for, nor does it say of which aspects of Christianity "secularists" are supposed to be intolerant. It seems without the recognition that many who support state secularism are, in fact, Christians.
One assumes that anybody who is not a Christian is to some extent anti-Christian. One notes from history that most Christians are anti-Catholic.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 11th 2012, 19:24
All those who are not Christians must not be assumed to be anti-Christian or anti-Catholic. Most of them would be neutral and unbiased.
The secularists under reference are not just imagined to be intolerant. They provide ample evidence that they intend to be intolerant and discriminatory when dealing with Dr Borg because, as you quaintly put it, most non-Christians are antiCatholic.
charles caruana
Nov 12th 2012, 09:18
It seems that your post does not say what you mean by state secularism, and which 'Christians' support it. Why assume gratuitously that anybody who is not Christian has to be to any extent anti-Christian? So some Christians can be pro state secularism, yet secularists ipso facto have to be to some extent anti-Christians. Your post is a farrago of wild generalizations and non-sequiturs Mr Hide.
Kurt Waschnig
Nov 11th 2012, 15:09
Everyone who wants to become a Commissioner of the European Union will face the appropriate committee of the European Parliament in a hearing. That is a normal procedure.
Dr Tonio Borg has his convictions and he sticks to them. There is an anti-Christian secularist lobby in the EU Parliament. That belongs to a working democracy.
Roger Tirazona
Nov 11th 2012, 11:14
I will be curious to read the transcript of Tonio Borg's own words...
Andy Farrugia
Nov 11th 2012, 12:25
And I would love to read the inane, irrelevant, provocative questions of some of the nihilistic desperadoes in that hall of sleaze and bilge!
W Cassar
Nov 11th 2012, 10:30
If what you write was true then the same people would not have accepted Dalli on the same basis.
You are trying to turn this issue into secularists vs catholics, when really it is about the man himself. There is nothing wrong in being a catholic, but that does not mean he is the right man for the job just because he is one. That would be pretentious!!!
Andy Farrugia
Nov 11th 2012, 11:23
You're manifestly wrong.....the issue IS about him being a practising Catholic. That is what many groups within the EU "house of sleaze and corruption" find unacceptable and intolerable. Period.
C Agius
Nov 12th 2012, 14:16
@Farrugia,
it is not about him being "catholic" but it IS about him forcing his beliefs, though his public role, on a secular state.
Also, maybe you completely ignored why he is being questioned: his treatment of illegal immigrants, the Eritrean scandal, his opposition to women's reproductive rights etc.
get your head out of the hymn book and watch some news.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 11th 2012, 08:48
I predict that the REJECTION of Dr Tonio Borg (irrespective of his merits, competencies, capabilities) will unleash such a backlash (nothing comparable to the meek response that followed the rejection of the erudite philosopher Prof Buttiglione) that it will go down in the annals of history as a watershed case in European history.
Alan Deidun
Nov 11th 2012, 07:55
Why sit for interviews when you have candidate CV's in hand? This is the message that some parts of the European Parliament are trying to pass
Alan Deidun
Nov 11th 2012, 06:42
Spot on as always Fr. Joe - next Tuesday we will actually known the extent of the 'tolerance' of some liberal groups and if fundamentalists are the preserve of religious groups only or if they reside in the European Parliament as well - I am sure that Tonio will not water down the principles he believes in simply to pander to those grilling him and to 'pass' the test
Mr l Azzopardi
Nov 12th 2012, 09:32
Your reaction with regards to what is going to happen at the EP clearly demonstrates your lack of knowledge about what the European Parliament represents and how it functions.
You speak of tollerance but compare liberals to fundamentalists. Stop repeating what you hear and inform yourself for crying out loud!!
P Borg
Nov 11th 2012, 02:20
Excellent article, spot on.
Please choose the reason of your report below: