Friday, 6th November 2009
Crosses instead of cribs for Christmas?
The debate about the presence of the Crucifix in public places is not new for Malta. I remember there was such a debate during the Mintoff era. I don't remember whether the grand old man of Maltese politics removed the Crucifixes from government offices, or just hinted that he could do that or it happened that people suspected he wanted to do that.
I distinctly remember, though, that the subject was hotly debated. The Times of Malta (I think it was still legal to use the word Malta at that time) concluded the discussion by publishing several letters on the same page. The intended title was to be "Crucifixes in public places." Unfortunately, the "l" was left out from the word "public" and the heading had a totally different meaning, undoubtedly very different from that of the sub-editor who devised it.
This year the debate has been revisited with a vengeance.
The enlightened Chaplain
Timesofmalta.com on October 21 published a story titled "University denies crucifixes are being removed." I was overjoyed to read the comments of the University Chaplain, Fr Michael Bugeja SJ. We need more level headed priests like him. I don't know of many who would have given such a precise, concise, balanced and enlightened answer. Read on if you missed it.
"University Chaplain Michael Bugeja said the rumours arose because while crucifixes hung in most of the older lecture rooms, the newer ones never had them.
Fr Bugeja has no problem with the current situation. "I don't think it's an issue. We don't need one in every room. We have many crucifixes around the University, even in the offices. As it stands, it shows a sense of openness to all religions," he said.
"We have a healthy balance where the Christian community does not impose itself of the others, and where the non-Christian community does not impose itself on us. I think this is a very positive sign."
Fr Bugeja also argued that if students needed a crucifix in every classroom to celebrate their faith, he would start to question their intentions."
The war of the comments started immediately and Fr Bugeja was the target of some of commentators. One even said that she doubts his intentions! Reading some of the comments, scared me to death. There is so much fundamentalism around - religious and secular as well.
This was just the appetiser for what was to come ... ....
Banning the Crucifix
The seven wise men who sit on the bench of the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg showed that they share none of Solomon's wisdom while dispensing justice. I criticised this decision in my comment to TVM on the same day the misguided and appalling decision was delivered. I described it as a shameful decision. On that subject I will also comment in my column in The Sunday Times.
Here I would like to comment on some of the similarly shameful comments that were written beneath different news items published in timesofmalta.com. Crass ignorance, bigotry and intolerance are the order of the day. Read on.
R. Zabbar wrote: It is an EU law not to hang any religion symbol in public rooms, so if you accept European money, you need to accept the European law.
Douglas Bagnall "Now you are finding out what you really voted for and why we English do not want it but have had it forced on us by Blair and Brown."
I will not comment on the atrocious use of the English language but on the factual incorrectness. It is not true that there is such an EU law. It is not true that the decision was taken by the EU.
The European Court of Human Rights is an institution of the Council of Europe and not of the EU which had nothing to do with this decision. This mistake was also made by our national TV station which said that the decision was taken by the European Court of Justice! A similar mistake was made by ANSA which said that the decision was taken by the highest court of the EU.
A certain Paul Bonnici said that the "Muslims must be very happy now" and Charles J Buttigiegwrote that the Court succumbed to Islamic treaths. It seems that they do not know that the court case was not instituted by a Moslem but by a Finnish atheist.
Charles J. Buttigieg solemnly suggested that "We should erect a mega crucifix near the breakwater to serve as a notice to Muslims and other denominations that we are a Christian Country and if they get offended by the sign of the cross it's just hard luck to them." Should Mgr Cremona book the date for the blessing of the ultra-Christian monument?
A certain Deo Catania said that Malta would be better if we got rid of all the Muslims. What about Maltese Muslims, don't they have the right to stay in their own country as much as you have?
This is just a very small sample but enough to prove my point.
Cribs and Crucifixes
Usually at this time of year, we Christians would be thinking of the cribs that we should use for Christmas time. We are today discussing the Crucifix instead. In fact, both are very closely related. One led to the other. Both of them show Christ - God and man - at a particularly vulnerable moment in His life. Birth and death are two vulnerable moments for all of us.
Christ turned these vulnerable moments into salvific ones. He saved us through the vulnerability He assumed but which we humans unfortunately abused. The vulnerability of Christ turned out to be His greatest strength as through it He saved us. His vulnerability triumphed in His Resurrection.
It is shameful that His vulnerability is being exploited by and crucified again by the seven judges of Strasbourg. However, we act in a more shameful way when we do not live according to the words and actions of Him who was born and died for us.
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Jien kont dejjem bniedem kwiet f'din id-dinja, imma ddum kwiet sakemm ihalluk. Sa fejn naf jien li tkun nisrani ma tfissirx li ghandi nkun iblah u naqla go fija ghalxejn b'xejn. Ghax l-istorja tal-Kurcifiss hija biss mossa biex iweggaw in-nies nsara. Jien mis-sena d-diehla ser imwehhel Kurcifiss jixghel fil-Gimgha Mqaddsa haga qatt ma ghamilt imma hekk ser naghmel halli jekk hawn minn jiddejjaq bis-simbolu taghna l-insara jiddejjaq. naf li forsi mhux l-aqwa ghemil nisrani, imma izejjed kollu zejjed. Il-kurcifiss apparti li huwa simbolu tar-religjon taghna huwa wkoll parti mill-Kultura, storja w tradizzjoni taghna l-maltin. Mhux lest naccetta ebda skuza li jwegga n-nies ateji ghax bl-istess ragunament taghhom jekk huwa l-kaz dawn in-nies jisthu li huma maltin u ma jaccettawx l-istorja w l-kultura taghna allura ghalfejn jghixu f'Malta.
Haga ohra f'pagna ohra Mons Gouder kiteb dwar din il-kwistjoni, Dan il-qassis jidher li ma jridx ebda kompromess fuq il-festi, mela ha nkomplu nitilfu n-nies ghax hekk ser jigri, minflokk inzommu l-merhla maqghuda b'daqxejn sens komun u nifhmu li mhux kull lokal huwa fl-istess keffa, li hemm hafna tajjeb u mhux kollox hazin, imma b'dik l-attitudini mhux ha taslu mkien anzi nkwiet gej.
Grazzi u nawguralek
The crucifix issue is just the tip of the iceberg, these people and when I refer to these people I mean all those (few in all honesty) that want the crucifix removed in these islands, just want to destroy anything thats catholic. They will resort to whatever strategy is convenient for them, they can pretend to be catholic but in all truth they hate anything the christian faith stands for. They manipulate anything even history, Today about Roamers piece a certain blogger commented that Hitler caused WWII in the name of Christ and because of the church.
The issue of the crucifix is just an excuse they want to remove anything that reminds them of Christ and his teachings. Mintoff was anticlerical but he's catholic, these people I refer to are anticlerical and against Christ. Hypocrites of the worst kind, always ready to attack the church either if its abortion, festa petards, crucifix, Nadur carnival, divorce etc. For them catholics and the church have no rights because they consider themselves illuminated and open minded, in all honesty these kind of people I hope not to find among my neighbours as they are capable of anything.
The Strasbourg judges are no weaklings like Pilate. They are rather strong-willed just like the snobbish Pharisees who like to be seen in public places and be surrounded by yes-men. The proper analogy with Pilate is the licentious Silvio Berlusconi if he bows to Strasbourg.
To add insult to injury Gouder shrewdly suggests that when the hero is convinced of his sound arguments he never ought to succumb to political correctness and will not consult the mob. Perhaps he is seeing himself as a soft target after being mauled in a recent talk show on TV.
Rev. David Muscat
neutral or intermediate class.
The twenty-first verse says, “He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me”; and the twentyfourth
verse says negatively, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my
sayings.” Evidently there are two sorts of persons in that part of the world
which is visited by the gospel: he that loveth Christ, and he that loveth him
not. If you once hear the gospel you can never be indifferent to it; you
must either be its friend or its foe, its disciple or its opposser.
When I was a little girl I remember being taken to a textile shop where, displayed quite prominently, there was an image of a Hindu deity, sitting in a lotus position, whose head was that of an elephant. I was fascinated by its incongruity and I always looked out for it whenever I revisited the shop. The image has stayed with me throughout the years but it did not affect me in any way except that it had aroused my curiosity as to what it represented. I do not think that had it been displayed in my classroom that image would have made me change my religion.
I believe that the strongest influence is the family especially since children are allowed to be exempted from attending catechism classes. What I fear is that there is an anti – Christian movement which is not set in motion by other religions but rather by those who profess themselves to be “free” from any religion.
What could be the driving force behind it? I wonder!
What I am getting at is why a crucifix hanging in a room would be so offensive. If it is the gory spectacle of a man dying an ignominious death, one wonders whether one could compromise by retaining the cross without the figure.
To be sure, it would be a shame, and to even suggest it, somehow, makes me feel I am being unfaithful to God - very much like obliterating the face of a loved one from a picture only because somebody objects to it being there. To somebody who cares, however, the obliterated face would take on a much more lasting memory for the face would be impinged in the mind’s eye.
The crucifix has suddenly become very popular - Anything for a topic to discuss – but the cross (as against the crucifix) has always been very popular as a trinket to wear on a chain around the neck. For us Christians it is a symbol of our faith and is worn with a certain reverence but unfortunately very often it is just worn as an adornment shorn of its religious connotations. The fact that some examples are so artistically designed, to the extent that they verge on losing their basic shape altogether, makes them all the more attractive.
Continued….
Vulnerable at birth and death indeed. Christ was born in a manger and hounded. Very vulnerable. At life's end, he was tortured and crucified. Very vulnerable. Vulnerability personified. But he was the son of god. So he resurrected himself.
We are all vulnerable at birth and death. Me in particular. When I die, I die. I am going nowhere. I feel so humble already and I'm not ready to go yet. Could be tomorrow though. Punto e bast. Others are not so vulnerable. They believe in a fanciful life that lasts like forever. For me one life is enough. In fact more than enough. The human species is an event that might not have happened. But it did. We did not ask to be born. But we were born. We can only make the most of it, for all it's worth, with a sentient sense of justice. And grin. And bear it.
these difficulties are what is meant by “the cross.” There are difficulties in
the way of making a profession of faith in Jesus, and of walking worthy of
it; and these difficulties are a burden too heavy for flesh and blood to carry.
Only grace can enable us to take it up; and when we do take it up, we are
fulfilling the words of the text, “Take up the cross, and follow me.”
This article took more than 400 words so please read it from bottom up.
carry the cross after Christ on earth shall never be permitted to wear the
crown with the in the land that is beyond the stars.
The chief business of a Christian is to follow Christ. You may sum up all
his life in that expression. He has Christ in him, Christ gives him new life
from day to day, and the very way in which that life expends its force is in
the following of Christ. I would, dear friends, that you and I would aim at
so following him, as to gain a distinction for the closeness of our walk; for
there are some in heaven of whom it is written, “These are they which
follow the Lamb whithersoever he go.” There are He who seem to
follow him but partially. There are many wanderings and many
inconsistencies in their life; but thrice blessed shall he be who, like Caleb,
follows the Lord fully, and with purpose of heart puts his foot down in the
very footprints of his crucified Lord. If you are a disciple of Jesus, your
chief business is to follow Jesus.
YOUR mind’s eye can see that procession yonder. Notice it carefully. At
the head of it there walks One whom we rightly call Master and Lord; you
may know him by the prints of the nails in his hands and feet. I observe that
he carries a cross, and that it is a very heavy one. Do you see the long line
following him? They are all those of whom the world was not worthy. That
line has been continued even to this day, and will he continued until the
present dispensation shall close. As you watch these different followers of
Christ in the procession, one thing will strike you, — that, however much
they differ in some respects, they are all alike in one thing, — every one of
them carries a cross. There is no exception to this rule; from the Master
down to the last disciple, it is a procession of cross-bearers. The day will
come when there will be a transformation scene, and you will se all these
cross-bearers transformed into crown-wearers. But, rest assured that the
old motto, “No cross, no crown,”
see things in biblical principals that they could apply to their life’s.
Knowing it can cost me six months in prison and perhaps my life yet I cant get it published.
Know this that one day each will answer to God.today you might not fear him but tommorow you will.
Joseph galea
So although the European Courts of Justice is not the EU, it is a half-baked statement.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) Created in its present form by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, it emerged originally from the ECSC. See : http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-EuropeanCourtofJustice.html
In conclusion, it was the EU member states that approved the institution of the ECJ, and of course the Judges that form part of this institution.
The question is, where did we go so wrong?
Many, Many Happy Returns!!!
You'r only as old as you feel.
At least that is what I LIKE TO THINK :-))
If it is of Mercy it cannot be of works and if it is of works it cannot be of mercy.
The Christian is not a tree by himself but only a branch, his good works are not his own but Christ’s Sapp working in him. Remember the Law Psalm 19:17
To associate the name Catholic with the name Christian only reflects that nether you know scripture nor it’s history. In theology there is noting new except that which is false. Theology was always as where and when Jesus and his apostles have left it.
This articel of love was over 500 words and though i tried to do my duty to christ I had to submit it in three parts.
The Cross must be in your heart first before Jesus can be in your Life
Insinuating Christianity and Catholicism are the same because both wear the cross. Is like mixing light and darkness which from the First day God have separated. Those who forget history are dammed to repeat it. Remember the Roman Catholic History how they cooked on a slow flame those Christians who held and believed and trusted only in their Bibles, what happened to them as Christ said it if they persecute me they will persecute you also.
Again The cross must be in your heart first before Jesus can be in your Life. For whatever passion is in your heart, that is your hope and god.
Having the cross hanging from your chest while your faith and salvation looks to statutes and creatures for your hope instead of God’s very own Word Jesus Christ
Is only disgracing his name. murdering souls. Sending them to an eternal hell where the worm never dies By directing them to other gospel and other jesus.
She must examine itself and hold to biblical scripture alone and not other religions. Who like nimrod they want to look east at the rising of the sun, but want to make a name for themselves by building a tower of false doctrines. To keep mankind under their Authority for their hope.
The Bible alone must be thought in our school systems For unless Malta wakes up, and comes to the light it will suffer the wrath of God that is to come.
As it is now Malta and those nations Who joined the European Community are no more but only names, Becoming states under the control of what is to come. The United States of Europe. With one president and governors, as what was, the Roman empire, and the United States of America is now. One New World order striving for one religion. Those True born again Christians who study Scripture know what Prophesy had to say. And today we see it at the horizon, And unless those priests wake up and discern the difference between the Christian faith and
Exactly, there's no religious tolerance in Malta. I've said this many times here as I experience this every single day of my life. That's something really shameful!
With the same logic, I have the right to believe. I have the right to be influenced.
Has anyone really been offended by a cross in classroom? Has anyone failed his/her exams due to this sign? Has anyone ended up with a depression because of this Man hanging from a cross? Come on. Get real. Secular persons want to be tolerated (and YES they should) but then, secular persons need to respect people who have faith. They need to accept the culture and the tradition of one's country even if it is not to their ideologies.
Using once more the same logic, can the British Embassy in Malta stop hoisting the Union Jack? I have to pass each and every morning, and i must say that seeing this flag i feel upset and disturb thinking of all utrocities which were committed in the Africian continent by the country which hoist this flag.
As if!
The comments that have poured in following the sad news are a telling manifestation of the Mediterranean hot temper. One cannot judge by these initial comments how man would, in fact, react upon further consideration. I hope, at least, that the authorities would tackle the matter in a responsible way for the good of all.
The dark ages belong to the past and should stay there. Hysterics does nobody any good and retaliation never proved the best strategy.
How can you say that those that that not not living according to jesus are acting shamefully? Is this your religious tolerance? I never asked for anyone to die for me in the first place!
Why don't you turn the situation around? How would you feel if you had to go in a public place and have a 'There is probably no God' sign in every room? would you call that the product of a pluralist society? I should have the right to be free from religion and that includes being free from its influence too!
I fully agree to the contents of your contribution, but let's be fair, even the same Christian/ Catholic Church somehow contributed to defacing the cross when the expression of the pain that brought our salvation was turned into a sign of power ( is-salib tad-deheb li jilbsu il-kanonci u l-monsinjuri) u with their restriction how some clergy and faithful reacted.
Hope you had a good celebration on your birthday - all the best
Siehbek - Toni