On July 19 L-Orizzont l dedicated an entire editorial in my honour. The paper considers me such a threat that it used a whole editorial to launch a rabid attack against me.

L-Orizzont described my last Sunday homily as a “useless panegyric” and an attack against the Government. The tone of the editorial suggested that the homily would have been more fit in a political activity than in a liturgical celebration.

There is only one snag.

Last Sunday I did not preach a homily. I just read the homily delivered by Pope Francis at Lampedusa. I did nothing more and nothing less. I added no comment or remark. Consequently, I think it’s logical to conclude that the attack of L-Orizzont was against Pope Francis and not against me. I just used his words.

My only fault is that I had the temerity to commit the mother of all abuses that is I read a homily delivered by the present Pope! Horror of horrors!

One should not be surprised at the diatribe of L-Orizzont. Since it is not the first time that it harshly and ferociously attacked church dignitaries why should I be surprised that it also attacked insignificant me?

Let me remind you of an attack lodged by L-Orizzont against Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and another dig at Pope Benedict.

Libellous attack against Bishop Mario Grech

On August 1, 2011 L-Orizzont published a libellous article against Mgr Grech.

The newspaper accused him of trying to expedite the proposed beatification process of Fr Mikiel Attard  to boost the electoral fortunes of then Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono. Picture Mgr Grech phoning the Vatican congregation to rush through Fr Attard’s beatification process.

Accusing Mgr Grech of attempting such a thing is tantamount to accusing him of indulging in grave sacrilegious behaviour. Quite naturally the story was just a lie. There was no shred of truth in it. But should one expect truth from l-orizzont?

W€LCOME

Pope Benedict was also targeted L-Orizzont.

On the eve of Pope Benedict’s visit to Malta the General Workers’ Union’s newspaper had a one word screaming headline: W€LCOME. (If I remember correctly they used the German equvalent.) As you may notice the euro symbol substituted the letter ‘e’. They had the temerity to suggest that the Pope was visiting Malta for financial gain.

Like Pope Francis, Pope Benedict and Mgr Grech I am in l-Orizzont’s line of fire. I am not in bad company, am I?

 

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