The sticking point in an agreement between the Curia and the Band Clubs Association is the “abdication” of responsibility for external feasts to the Church authorities, which other organisations also refuse to accept.

The Curia wants the rights but not the legal obligations

The responsibility should be shared by the Church, the band clubs association, decorations and fireworks enthusiasts and the civil authorities, according to a task force that has been set up.

The agreement was signed last December 21 and was scheduled to come into force on Easter Sunday but has met a stumbling block and the Curia will be meeting the Band Clubs Association to understand its “difficulties”.

However, while it was willing to discuss the issue with the association, the Curia insisted the agreement still stood despite the fact that the association maintained it was suspended.

The Curia pointed out that the agreement could only be changed by another one between both parties.

The association had not given reasons for its decision to “suspend” the agreement pending fresh talks and reconsideration, taken on February 24, but only announced a month later.

It turns out its president, Lorry Farrugia, resigned after the decision was taken because he did not follow the directives of the members, who did not agree with handing over the responsibility for external feasts to the Church authorities.

Task force member Noel Camilleri said the final draft of the agreement was never circulated to the members and they only got to know about it through the media.

A decision was taken to extend the life of committee for another six months to continue the work it had already started and a task force was set up, Dr Camilleri said.

The Curia wanted the rights but not the legal obligations, he said, insisting that everyone had to be on a level playing field.

“We do not want to clash with the Curia. All we want is a sound discussion to hold feasts in a more civil manner and to clarify misunderstandings so we can find an equitable solution for all,” Dr Camilleri said.

The agreement had been criticised by, among others, the National Association of Festive Street Decorations, which had not recognised it.

Its president, Godfrey Farrugia, who is also the secretary of the Maltese Pyrotechnics Association, said the issue was about “shared responsibility” between the three associations involved.

The festive street decorations association wanted to participate actively in the responsibility of external feasts and it was also insisting on self-regulation, he said.

Dr Farrugia said the Curia had signed the agreement with the Band Clubs Association on the eve of Christmas, when discussions were suspended.

“We all want feasts to improve and there is room for improvement,” he maintained.

Referring to the Band Clubs Association’s point that permits connected to them should be regulated by civil authorities only, the Curia said nowhere in the agreement was there anything against that.

The Curia said its efforts were aimed at promoting the civil and cultural aspect and the atmosphere of religious feasts.

The agreement had provided for a number of measures to ensure order during village feasts. It laid down, for example, that indecent dress would not be tolerated and that no one would be allowed shirtless.

Offensive and disparaging language on banners would be prohibited and it would be the responsibility of the band clubs and the police to ensure the law was observed.

Among other things, the agreement established that morning band marches could not last more than four hours and should not get out of hand. Neither would they pass in front of rival clubs unless absolutely necessary.

Any breach of regulations could lead to the suspension of the band club involved from participation in parish activities.