In his letter ‘Church’s voice is loud enough’ (July 10), Ian Grech states that the Church, despite having its own radio station and distributing religious material, expects to have a louder voice. The correspondent needs reminding that the Church has an important role to play given to it by God Himself.

He goes on to criticise it for not being sensitive enough to certain problems afflicting today’s family – namely failed marriages – and says the Church is a stumbling block in where human beings’ rights and opportunities are concerned.

It is ideal when married couples keep the promise to stay together made on their wedding day with God as their witness. But since this is not a perfect world, marriages do fail.

The Church does not oblige a couple to remain together if there is domestic violence or other insurmountable difficulties. However, the Church cannot be blamed for those marriages that fail.

Accusing the Church of not caring for society is very grave. It was the Church that built institutions for the elderly, cared for children born out of wedlock, built hospitals for the sick, schools for children from a very early age, girls’ hostels, homes for those in distress or with disabilities, flats for engaged couples. It also provide help for prison detainees and drug addicts, shelter and assistance for refugees. The list is just too long to include here.

At the same time, the Church offers continuous pastoral leadership to all the faithful.

It is indeed a pity there are people who are always ready to blame the Church for misdoings. God created us free but gave us rules to help us lead our life in the best possible way.

It is the man who, in his pride, feels that he knows it all and, when things go wrong, blames the Church for not being sensitive enough. And this is neither fair nor right.