Last Sunday this newspaper reported one of the most negative comments ever made in public life in Malta. Carm Mifsud Bonnici said that after the no-confidence vote, Franco Debono walked up to him and told him: “Take that! This is what you get for badmouthing me with the Chief Justice.” The Maltese original sounds much worse: “Ħu ġo fik. Dak li tieħu talli tagħmilli l-ħsara mal-Prim Imhallef.” Other MPs confirmed Debono’s outburst.
Carm Mifsud Bonnici was justifiably hurt and showed it in his words and facial expressions. But no words of vindictiveness were uttered or written- Fr Joe Borg
Debono has not denied saying the words. He just said he did not remember what he said. This makes matters worse.
Usually people are careful of what they say in public but sometimes in the heat of the moment the guard slips. Worse still is the fact that Debono spoke in such a manner in the hour of his victory. The attenuating circumstance of the bitterness of a personal defeat did not exist. It was Winston Churchill who once said that one is expected to be magnanimous in victory. There was no magnanimity shown by Debono.
Whoever listened to Debono’s speech in Parliament thought he had a principled objection to the way the then minister was managing his portfolio. However, his retort after the vote made people doubt whether any principles were involved. Debono did a disservice to himself, giving people the impression it could just be a question of spite.
We are all prone to say stupid things, even vile things at times. Such is our frail human nature, but when we commit a mistake in public we would be expected to publicly recant. The gentlemanly way of redeeming ourselves from our mistakes would, at the very least, be a public apology. Debono owes it to himself if not to Mifsud Bonnici.
This sorry statement sharply contrasts with the dignified way Mifsud Bonnici carried himself. This was no surprise, as one expected nothing less from a gentleman of his calibre.
He was justifiably hurt and he prudently showed it in his words and facial expressions. But no words of vindictiveness were uttered or written. Mifsud Bonnici faced the injustice thrust upon him with the Christian virtues of fortitude and forgiveness. This is the mettle that characterises true politicians inspired by the Christian Democratic tradition and ethos.
Such a gentleman will surely bounce back.
• Gentlemanliness was also abysmally absent among those responsible for the Vatileaks scandal. The content of most documents published so far shows that this is not an exercise in legitimate whistleblowing. We do not yet know why this was done but money and ambition/vindictiveness could be among the reasons for the leaks. None of these surprise me.
During the battle for Church schools I met a journalist from a prominent Italian Catholic weekly. The Socialist government of the time boasted that it had the Vatican’s support for some of its policies. However, I was aware of a letter from the Vatican which would give the lie to this allegation. I did not have access to the letter.
The Italian journalist told me not to bother: “Just find out which Vatican office sent the letter. If I know that, I will pay and get a copy. This is how things work at the Vatican.” The letter was published in Famiglia Cristiana some time later.
It should come as no surprise that among the 5,000 or so bureaucrats working at the Vatican there will be a few corrupt ones. Nor should anyone be astonished that ambition and, perhaps, vindictiveness would tinge those wearing red.
There are more indications in this direction as it is now very clear that the Pope’s valet, Paolo Gabriele, was not working alone and his arrest has not stopped the leaks of confidential correspondence. The Daily Telegraph reported that Gabriele mentioned two cardinals, but offered no proof supporting the claim.
More private correspondence is still being published. First we had the publication of the minutes of the meeting in which the head of the Vatican bank was sacked. Up to the point of writing, La Repubblica published three more documents, saying they had been delivered anonymously with an accompanying note stating there were “hundreds more” that could be leaked.
It is evident that the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 77, is the principal target of the leaks. Another target seems to be Mgr Georg Gäenswein, 55, one of the Pope’s two personal secretaries.
Two of the documents leaked were letters signed by Gäenswein. The actual contents of the letters were obscured. According to the La Repubblica source this was done as otherwise it would “offend the person of the Holy Father”. The source also alleges that the letters regard “shameful cases inside the Vatican”.
Whether this is true or not, I do not know. But we should not be too shocked, as sin is part of our humanity as much as breathing is. The Church is larger than all our failings put together. We can compare it to a field full of rubbish hiding the world’s largest diamonds under its surface. Men and women of little faith see just the rubbish. Those graced by faith also see the presence of the living Christ.
• I know many a man who would not mind spending a day (all 24 hours!) with Angelina Jolie. And there are many women who would not mind the company of George Clooney. But who on earth would want to spend a day – 24 hours or less – with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi? (Due and respectful apologies to Kate Gonzi are in order.)
I guess this appointed day will not be a Monday, as whoever wins the competition will not be allowed to take part in a Cabinet meeting. Neither will it be a day when Parliament is in session. It is being reliably rumoured that many of those who showed an interest in the initiative backed down on being told that dealing with all current Nationalist MPs was part of the package.
It cannot be a day when the Prime Minister is meeting a foreign dignitary. Imagine Gonzi explaining to Hillary Clinton that the woman accompanying him all day long is neither his wife nor a budding Monica Lewinsky.
So what gives? Will it be a day when Gonzi is off? There are not many such days, I am afraid.
It seems that even such a solid politician can nod and let a gimmick slip by, though, fortunately, only once in a while.
• “Christian life is a journey, it is like hiking up a mountain path in the company of Jesus. With these precious gifts (of the Holy Spirit), your friendship with Him will become ever closer, and ever more true.” – Pope Benedict speaking to young people in Milan receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on June 2, at a World Day of Families celebration.
joseph.borg@um.edu.mt