I would like to contribute to the ongoing discussion about the Church leadership. I agree with Bishop Mario Grech that the Church is in desperate need of a blood transfusion to eradicate the feeling of sloth and to instil vibrancy.

However, I feel that comparing the Church’s leadership to the leadership of political parties is a very poor analogy. Although I agree that leadership, even in the Church, has a human element, the core source and attention must always be spiritual.

I understand that priests would wish for straightforward directives from the leadership, especially regarding certain hot issues such as divorced couples. Written guidelines for priests to follow would seem to make sense, however, our weak and tired brothers and sisters do not need such guidelines. They need a merciful heart to accompany them in their slow and tired pace.

We do need soul-searching questions, especially us, at the forefront of the leadership of the Church. When we go through soul-searching personal questioning and transfuse our heart with love and mercy, then the Church in Malta will become very effective, relevant, inspirational and organised. Then we will surely eradicate the feeling of sloth which might, after all, be coming from within us.

When we, at the forefront of leadership within the Church, carry within us transformed, renewed blood, transfused with the spirit of Jesus, then the Church will carry within it new vibrancy, new enthusiasm, a new Pentecost.

The easiest way out in this leadership dilemma is to find a scapegoat. Our Archbishop was depicted as a good pastor, which indeed, he is. May God sustain him against all odds.

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