Many Christians are obsessed with tradition and this is hindering them from discovering spiritual freedom, according to Gozo Bishop Mario Grech.

The hard-hitting words were directed towards Christians who feared letting go the rituals of the past.

“Instead of thinking ahead with vision, they prefer to think backwards,” Mgr Grech said, adding spiritual freedom had the power to regenerate the Church.

He was delivering a homily on freedom during the pontifical Mass to commemorate the feast of Santa Marjia.

Mgr Grech spoke on the importance of freedom but noted that there were instances when liberty was compromised.

Apart from the reference to the Church’s traditions, he also noted the pressure on freedom created by an economy driven by the profit motive.

He cited as an example bank loans people were forced to take out and the abuse perpetrated by some employers when engaging workers on precarious conditions.

But with an audience of dignitaries that included the President, Mgr Grech also hit out at the lack of individual freedom as a result of the “subtle pressure” created by partisan politics.

Although political participation was a good thing, Mgr Grech said partisan considerations held back individuals from saying what they wanted.

“Others choose to genuflect not to fall out of grace of those in power,” he added.

Mgr Grech also referred to pressure created by the media, which he described as an influential propaganda machine in the hands of those who had financial and political power.