The report (April 26) about the transfer of a priest from the Mġarr parish seems to fit exactly into the words of Pope Francis who warned the Church against falling into the same mistake as Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands not to tackle a thorny problem. Was Fr David Muscat the only cleric not to follow doubtful edicts from the Curia? Was that the true reason or did he tread on some corns?

Did the parish priest know what was being planned and preferred to turn a blind eye instead of taking drastic action?

He could have locked the main door and made the procession, without any statues, exit from one of the side doors. Why was no such action taken? On the other hand, how can a procession be held without the services of a priest?

It seems to me that the Curia is using two weights and two measures. Certain parishes are untouchable. They dictate, using their assumed power, to the ecclesiastical authorities. It smacks of preferential treatment! The Archbishop and his Curia must carry out a soul-searching exercise.

If they do not want any public manifestations, they should stop all other processions. At most, other processions should be held on a roster basis, but not prefer one parish to another.

There is just too much preferential treatment. If the Archbishop thinks that the faithful will become more devout he must be living in cuckoo land. Perhaps it is high time that the Church administration in Malta be taken out of the hands of Maltese (and Gozitans) and entrusted to others who are not involved in any parochial piques and enmities.

Please do wake up to Christ’s teachings. We cannot be Christian and full of hatred at the same time.