‘Borg’s rejection would be an affront to Maltese, Catholics’
Mgr Charles Scicluna speaks out over campaign against nomination
Mgr Charles Scicluna has given Tonio Borg his full backing. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
It would be a “disaster” and an “affront” to Maltese and Catholics if European Commissioner-designate Tonio Borg is tomorrow rejected by EU parliamentarians, according to Mgr Charles Scicluna.
Dr Borg’s nomination hangs in the balance with Green and Liberal MEP groupings having already taken a stand against him being appointed Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner.
His nomination will be secured if the Socialist group decide to officially back him later on today. If not, he will have to wait until tomorrow’s parliamentary vote to know his fate.
Speaking yesterday, Mgr Scicluna – who on Saturday will be ordained Malta’s Auxiliary Bishop – gave the avowedly Catholic Dr Borg his full backing.
Rejecting Dr Borg would be a disavowal of the EU’s own values, he said. “Europe, which is based on unity in diversity, would have given in to intolerance.”
He took exception to Green MEPs saying Dr Borg’s “philosophy of life” was a problem. “Instead of ‘philosophy of life’ you can read ‘because you’re Catholic’. Because that’s what I believe they meant, and that’s the way many others have interpreted it,” he said when contacted.
In an earlier TV appearance, Mgr Scicluna had rhetorically asked what MEPs would do if a Muslim commissioner were to be nominated. But wouldn’t the Maltese be among the first to protest a Muslim nominee?
“I don’t think so. We’ve changed a lot, as a people. And I think this experience is beneficial to us, because by placing us in a minority position, it will help us respect other minorities more,” Mgr Scicluna said.
The former Vatican Promoter of Justice of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – who spearheaded the battle against clerical paedophilia – was appointed by the Pope to help Archbishop Paul Cremona run the Maltese diocese.
Despite denials by Mgr Scicluna in several interviews already, some commentators are still questioning whether he has been sidelined by the Vatican for having done his job a little too well.
The topic resurfaced again in an interview published in the Seattle Times, in which he laughed off the suggestion, saying “if you want to silence someone, you don’t make him a bishop”.
In the interview, Mgr Scicluna hinted that the Vatican had yet to adequately discipline bishops guilty of having covered up sexual abuse.
“People make mistakes. They need to repent and change their ways. But if they are not able to repent and change their ways, they should not be bishops,” he said.
Now back in Malta, Mgr Scicluna will as of Monday begin a new life, working alongside Mgr Cremona in the day-to-day running of the local diocese.
“Meeting with the communities from which my faith first sprung has been a beautiful experience,” he said.
“And as of Saturday, when I am ordained, I will belong to everyone.”
He has already been taking part in the life of the Curia, preparing himself for the role. And after 17 years working within Vatican walls, he is happy to have returned. “I’m delighted with the environment I’ve found. I feel at home.”
Celebrations to mark his ordination start today with a meeting with children at 5.30pm at St Sebastian parish in Qormi, followed by Mass at 6.30pm.
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Charles Grixti
Nov 20th 2012, 23:55
So Bishop Scicluna if every time a Maltese goes for a job abroad and does not pass the interview, then we the Maltese should take it as an affront? I do not think so.
If he is not right for the job, then let the next candidate through. I went to enough interviews to know how it works. His professed beliefs impinge on his ability to do his job right, that is without prejudice.
David Camilleri
Nov 20th 2012, 20:08
I'm Maltese just like you are, Mr Borg's rejected would definitely not be an affront as far as I'm concerned, his objection to divorce was an affront to my right to make my own choices, but that's over now.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 20th 2012, 19:54
If Mgr. Scicluna thinks that failure to nominate Dr Borg would be a 'Disaster', then I dearly hope that nothing serious ever befalls us.
Furthermore, his comments relating to Bishops covering-up sexual abuse suggest that he is ill-informed, because, according to our Maltese Catholic Oracle, there was no cover-up.
Or maybe the Vatican simply forgot to tell Joe about one ?
joseph saliba
Nov 20th 2012, 19:11
Could not have said it better.
Emanuel Curmi
Nov 20th 2012, 14:51
It seems that the experiences the Catholic Church made during the divorce issue in Malta, have already been forgotten. One has to accept that the Catholic Church is run on different principles than the EU and these shouldn't influence the policy making structure of the European Commission in any way. Mgr Scicluna is just stirring up a hornets nest and is not helping Mr Borg's candidature at all
Martin Saliba
Nov 20th 2012, 13:56
MR. Scicluna , religion has nothing to do with it .
Svetlana Borg
Nov 20th 2012, 11:26
Comparing what is happening around the world, is what the Church in Malta currently doing an affront to Maltese Catholics?
http://pro-tridentina-malta.blogspot.com/2010/10/gli-effetti-del-motu-proprio-nelle.html
Mr Anthony Zarb
Nov 20th 2012, 11:11
It is high time for true Christians to protect Europe from the attack on Chritian values and morals. Europe is the modern tower of babel and its unity is an affront to God. No mention of God, removal of Christian symbols and its Christian past and all sorts of sin (abortion, euthanasia, gay liberalism). Each country will have to fend for its own survival. Europe can save noone.
Peter Attard
Nov 20th 2012, 11:06
Well done Mgr Scicluna we need more people like you that speak out when things are not right, we have to defend the values that made Europe in which Malta did a lot of sacrifices to keep as history can tell. Keep up the good work.
P Sciberras
Nov 20th 2012, 10:33
Mgr Scicluna all the Maltese are happy for your support for the nomination of Dr Borg. But from now on Malta will expect you to back any Maltese blue,red and green in any similar situation.
Peter Murray
Nov 20th 2012, 11:09
Just one question P.Sciberras-how long did it take you to ask ALL MALTESE to asceratin that they ALL are happy for his support for the nomination of Dr.Borg.Or perhaps you could provide the name of the agency you commissioned to conduct the survey for the entire Maltese population to corroborate your apparently irrefutable declaration?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 20th 2012, 18:30
@Peter Murray
The support of the Maltese for Dr T Borg is to be assumed by his nomination by both the major parties in Malta who between them occupy all the parliamentary seats. Compared with that your brash opinion is an absolute non-starter.
Peter Murray
Nov 20th 2012, 19:39
Francis Saliba MD
Never assume anything as it makes an ass out of u and me.ARMS send you bills based on assumptions and governments make growth prediction on such injudicious assumptions also .I rest my "brash "case.Was there any need to call my opinion brash sir as PSciberras's opinion was based on his alone and he could ,should ,not speak for all Maltese as you appear to do -but not for me!
John Caligari
Nov 20th 2012, 10:32
The other two Maltese were catholics and were not asked so many questions Dun. Why. So your arguments are void.
Joseph Brincat
Nov 20th 2012, 10:23
Mgr Charles Scicluna we all know that religions, are all a mater of belief !!
and politics is real and it should be made for every one what out any dicrimination
so Leave politics to politicians !!
Ramon Casha
Nov 20th 2012, 10:17
As a Maltese and European person I would consider it a disaster if Tonio Borg is approved only because of a partisan bloc vote. Catholics have no reason to consider it an affront considering that his predecessors were accepted as Catholics. This shows that the objections are due to his unsuitability for the post.
Victor Calleja
Nov 20th 2012, 10:09
Now Mgr Scicluna tell us something about Tonio's signing of the declaration please.
Bernard Mamo
Nov 20th 2012, 09:57
I politely disagree and think otherwise
Peter Murray
Nov 20th 2012, 10:06
wish more people would express their views like you Bernard-you are an example to us all ,and I genuinely mean it!
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Nov 20th 2012, 09:41
It-tnawwir beda meta giet diskussa l-Kostituzzjoni UE u Malta ma nsistitx li jkun hemm stqarrija tat-tnissil storiku tal-kewn Ewropew minn tradizzjonijiet Insara, kif talbu l-Papiet. Jekk jaslu jichdu l-istorja, ma tistennix li ser jimxu sewwa issa, dawn li joqoghodu ghall-kollox, basta jindiehsu u jidhru
Colin Stanley
Nov 20th 2012, 09:26
Well done Mgr.Scicluna,we need more people like you to speak their mind.
Pippo de Marco
Nov 21st 2012, 09:18
Or better still, people could think for themselves.
Please choose the reason of your report below: