In his article, ‘The spirit of festa and its rightful owners’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, June 2) Mark Anthony Falzon stated: “The Curia has decided to ignore all the petitions and popular feeling and to go ahead and cancel this year’s feast at Zejtun.” This is not correct.

Following the petitioners’ request for the feast to be held with reduced celebrations, the Curia revised its decision to cancel the feast at Żejtun and in fact agreed to have a feast with reduced celebrations.

A working paper in this direction was agreed upon by the parish clergy and Parish Pastoral Council. Fr Gino Gauci, on behalf of the Church authorities gave this ‘working paper’ to the four associations concerned.

A meeting was held on May 22 and the conclusion of the meeting (agreed by all those taking part) was: “The following Associations: Beland Band Club, Zejtun Band Club, Pirotechnic Group and the Group for Street Decorations met with the Administrator and representative of the clergy from the Żejtun parish in order to discuss a working paper with respect to the feast of St Catherine which is scheduled to be held on 16th June.

“Since the Maltese Curia is prepared to reconsider its decision as per the statement issued on 9 May 2013, these same associations are insisting that the feast should not be cancelled and should be held as usual. We are requesting an urgent reply”. This conclusion was made public in a press statement.

Falzon is of the opinion that “six odd weeks of mourning are enough.” He could be right, but why were “six odd weeks of mourning” not enough three years ago when the feast was cancelled by the same four associations mentioned above? The same happened in other parishes following the death of a person who was involved with fireworks. Falzon did not feel the need to criticise those who cancelled these feasts. He did not brand them obstinate, stubborn and cruel. He reserved such labels for the Curia. Why?