A few days ago I happened to be at St George’s Basilica when a group of Maltese visitors popped in, eager to have a look at the artistic crib which in recent years has been mounted for the festive season.

They were assisted by a parish vicar who appeared to have exhorted them to cross over to Gozo and admire a handful of our island’s cribs. He was aware of the beauty of the one at St George’s as he had had the chance to admire it in past years.

Unfortunately, on proceeding to the chapel where this crib was usually mounted, the group was amazed to discover that only the statuettes were on show. They were equally shocked to learn that no crib was exhibited as in past years, in view of the fact that it had been vandalised by some teenagers.

A parishioner also explained to the party that the crib’s artist was so upset at discovering this folly that he refused to repair the damage done.

It is reliably understood that a handful of teenagers appear to have a phobia with damaging certain parish items. As things stand it appears that so far this folly has been beyond control. In fact around a year ago an old statue of the Resurrected Christ, which for decades lay in the parish store as it was no longer in use, was badly damaged. Some argued that this same group of teenagers played havoc in this case too.

These incidents should spur those responsible to keep a watchful eye on any suspicious youngsters lingering in their midst so that history might not repeat itself.