Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini was a controversial, high-ranking figure in the Catholic Church and remained so even in death.
A well-respected theologian, who often ended up at loggerheads with the Church’s higher echelons, Cardinal Martini died on August 31.
The last interview he gave was published by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera after his death.
He said the Church was “200 years behind the times”, speaking of a “tired” and “pompous” organisation with a top- heavy bureaucracy. “We have large churches that are empty,” he said.
But his was also a call for a spiritual renaissance – a change in the way the Church deals with the divorced, cohabiting couples, gay couples and how it deals with issues such as in-vitro fertilisation.
Cardinal Martini’s words may have found fertile ground among critical Catholics, the liberal and those who feel estranged. But they also raise questions.
Should the Church re- adjust to come in line with sections of today’s society? Should the Maltese Church have acted differently on issues like divorce, IVF and cohabitation?
These pertinent questions will be tackled today in the Times To Debate conference organised by The Times at the InterContinental Hotel.
It is a timely debate to which people have already participated heavily by posting their comments online. The timesofmalta. com website received scores of submissions and the views oscillate between concerned Catholics wanting the Church to change its ways but retaining its beliefs and others wanting a more radical shake-up of its teachings.
Henry Bonett said the Church had to move on but this did not mean that Christ’s teachings should change.
His thoughts were reflected by Kate Micallef: “Life may change, society may change, people may change, beliefs may change, traditions may change but God’s laws never change.”
But others were more receptive to Cardinal Martini’s thoughts.
Michael Borg said priests used antiquated and unproductive methods to preach to their congregations, but Joe Camilleri was more concerned about the Church’s teachings.
“The Church is 200 years in the past because how can you let people suffer in their marriage?” he asked, with reference to the divorce debate.
He also asked what was wrong with IVF, a technique that helped childless couples.
These and other arguments will form the basis of this morning’s wide-ranging debate that sees Pro- vicar general Mgr Anton Gouder square off with Today Public Policy Institute chairman Martin Scicluna.
This morning ’s debate will be streamed live on timesofmalta. com.
You can post your questions on the comments board or on mynews@timesofmalta.com this morning.