On April 12 last year, The Sunday Times published a study I had carried out about crucifixions and, more specifically, about the death of Jesus Christ.

In my study I had quoted various historic records and made reference to perhaps the most reliable source of information, namely Josephus, the Judean historian who had been very accurate in his writings after the Siege of Jerusalem. Other scholars have even gone into many details, such as the weight of a full cross and just the cross-bar or transept. From all this there is absolutely no doubt that Jesus had carried the full cross from Pilate towards Golgotha. The new-fangled idea that He only carried the transept is definitely wrong and has no historical or evangelical basis whatsoever.

Therefore I am surprised, to put it mildly, that the Church Commission to Regulate Sacred Images and other items within churches have allowed false depictions on the wrong hypothesis of trying to re-invent the wheel. One case in point is in the parish church of St Paul's Bay. A recent addition depicts Jesus carrying just the transept.

To add insult to injury, the parish priest has now published this wrong depiction on the front page of the monthly parish leaflet.

I feel the Curia Commission should insist this painting be removed, or at least placed away from the area so it will not be within view of the faithful. Moreover, there should be clear-cut instructions that the painting was made with artistic licence carried to an extreme degree.

An official response to my letter would be greatly appreciated.