The recent savage massacre in Paris by masked Islamist extremists who stormed the offices of the French satirical paper Charlie Hebdo brought the utter condemnation of the civilised world as demonstrated in the French capital by the record march of over a million and a half protesters, including our Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

I firmly believe that no provocation, however great and incisive, should condone such outrageous retaliation. On the local media I followed most of the debates and discussions, however I feel that many questions remained unanswered.

Are we witnessing the emergence of a brand new principle, that in solidarity with free speech we condone irreverence, blasphemies and the ridicule of holy icons? Does freedom of speech give us a licence to offend the dignity of man?

As a Christian I would be greatly grieved, insulted and offended if Christ were reviled and ridiculed in cartoons or caricatures, which I consider highly blasphemous.

In such an eventuality, in Malta would the “blasphemy law” in our Criminal Code apply? Or has this law become anachronistic?

I think it is a question of double standards if we take offence, and rightly so, when our Christian icons are vilified, but have no qualms if another religion is harshly and capriciously treated irreverently.

Our guiding principle should be “Love your neighbour as yourself” and never inflict unnecessary injury or give offence to others.