Kristina Chetcuti’s article ‘Don’t sing unless it’s in Maltese’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, September 20) was spot on.
With all due respect to the reverend gentleman I think he was talking through his hat, and this obsession with everything in church having to be in Maltese is reaching ridiculous proportions and will just keep on alienating more and more people, including youths.
Young people don’t want to hear long-winded sermons, many times in a kind of Maltese they don’t understand, as are unfortunately many of the epistles and gospels.
If they have to be in Maltese why aren’t they at least written in ‘everyday’ Maltese which everyone understands?
Many of the Maltese hymns can be beautifully sung, but they are not, which is why hardly anyone sings in church anymore. Just go to an English Mass and notice the difference.
Also, when Gospel songs are sung abroad, everyone is swinging and singing and really enjoying themselves; it makes the service come alive and the church is always packed with people.
I’m sure the Good Lord doesn’t think it is a big sin if we go to church and enjoy ourselves, and singing is the greatest joy of all. I know, as I’ve been singing for the past 50 years and no matter what problems, worries or pain I am going through those two hours of weekly rehearsals always help me feel better.
As for banning one of the most beautiful pieces of Church music ever written – the Panis Angelicus – because it is in Latin, I have honestly never heard of anything so ridiculous and misguided in all of my life. I think Fr Carmelo Tanti really needs to rethink this one.
Thank you Kristina Chetcuti and please keep up the good work.