Charity, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote in his encyclical letter Caritas in Veritate, is love received and given. And we are now at that time of the year when we both receive and give.

There would have been so many occasions throughout the year to demonstrate the Christian spirit of love and charity in practice, whether with family members, friends, neighbours and, through the various missions spread across the globe, even people we did not even know existed.

“Charity can be recognised as an authentic expression of humanity and as an element of fundamental importance in human relations, including those of a public nature,” Benedict said in his encyclical.

The next big opportunity for generosity to excel will, of course, be L-Istrina, though by no means the only. The annual TV charity marathon is held on Boxing Day to raise funds for the Community Chest Fund, chaired by the President of Malta. Throughout the year, this charity helps so many people in need, including those suffering from health or poverty problems.

The Community Chest Fund has had its ups but also its downs. The bad times included the debate on the fact that it was not a voluntary organisation as defined by the Voluntary Organisations Act (2007) because it was not autonomous of the State (it is now a foundation and can enrol with the Registrar for Legal Persons and become regulated legally, something that could not happen as a fund).

There was then the very unfortunate accident during the latest edition of Paqpaqli għall-Istrina last October when a luxury car spun out of control and hurled into spectators injuring 26, including five critically. More than the tragedy itself, what proved controversial was that nobody seemed to want to assume responsibility for what had happened even though the event was held under the auspices of the President’s Office.

As it was in duty bound to do and as expected by a society where the rule of law prevails and human rights are not only promoted by word of mouth but also in practice, the Times of Malta reported on such instances, also pointing out what it deemed to be shortcomings and calling for responsibility to be shouldered.

This did not go down too well with certain quarters, including a section of the press, which published a letter, which carried no more than a pseudonym, saying that the police and the Attorney General should proceed “against those violating the law by attacking and making insinuations to damage the Presidency”.

The Times of Malta has always treated State and constitutional institutions with the reverence they deserve. But it never feared to say so when it felt they were failing in their duties. The independent media, after all, have a crucial role to play in society: that of keeping those in office on their toes. That is an essential ingredient in a healthy democracy and is necessary to ensure the contiunuous good functioning of both State and consitutional bodies.

Criticism made by responsible media in this regard is never meant to tarnish the reputation of or demolish the good work done by the occupier of any office but, rather, to protect the institution. Only the naive and the blinkered would conclude otherwise.

Highlighting what to this newspaper appeared to be potential shortcomings by the Office of the President in certain instances will still not stop the Times of Malta from making a hearfelt appeal to all to be as generous as possible during L-Istrina. The Communitry Chest Fund deserves all the help it can get.