In his article that was entitled ‘No Christmas, Merry-Louise?’ (December 23), Ivan Fenech objects to the President’s suggestion that “The Catholic religion is no longer central to cultural activity because of the vast changes happening in our society.”

However, previously (August 26), he had accepted that “all evidence points to the fact that [the Catholic Church in Malta]... may already be a minority”.

He was right.

A significant portion of the population is not rejoicing at the birth of the Saviour but that a mobile phone received as a Christmas present can take ‘selfies’.

He rejects the President’s argument “that any positive purpose, whatever its origins, should be given space in the public sphere,” citing the evils of the Hitler regime as if they are about to be repeated in this country.

He acknowledges that Hitler restored national dignity, created full employment and built the autobahns but seems to suggest that these should have been destroyed and Germany returned to its pre-Hitler condition.

His claim that “Christian values” fill the coffers of the Community Chest Fund ignores all who contribute from personal conviction or another faith.

He rejects the President’s concern for the poor (presumably not being among them) and the social issues she wants to see tackled, yet also argues that these are “undermining society”. Would he rather leave them untackled?

His contention, that “The republic is just the State she represents,” is wrong.

The republic is the political body within which society exists and it requires that people accept the rule of a democratically-elected government.

The presidency stands above this. It acts as the collective conscience of society, neutral and is able to reach out to those who require assistance, regardless of political allegiance.

That the President is largely achieving this was confirmed by an acquaintance of mine who harbours strong Nationalist convictions and who commented: “She is a good woman but it is a pity she’s from the wrong party.”