A booklet recently published by the Catholic Truth Society, London titled Rejoice, reproduced a letter sent by the Pope to consecrated men and women in preparation for the year dedicated to consecrated life.

A number of pertinent questions were put forward by the Pope at the end of the letter.

Among these was one which, hopefully, touched the hearts of the members of the clergy in Malta who publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona’s leadership of the Church in Malta.

I quote: “This is beautiful, beautiful way to holiness! Do not speak badly of others. ‘But father, there are problems’. Tell the superior, tell the Bishop, who can rectify them.

“Do not tell a person who cannot help. This is important: brotherhood! But tell me, would you speak badly of your mother, your father, your siblings? Never.

“So why do you say so in the consecrated life, in the seminary, in your priestly life?

“Only this: think, think… brotherhood! This brotherly love.”

Wise words indeed!