I happened to watch Xarabank (November 6) and it was the usual free-for-all debate. It was a disgraceful performance from start to finish. The way Peppi Azzopardi handled the programme showed lack of competence in dealing with an intolerant and rowdy audience whose only aim was to vent their emotions against the Church and hurl insults at Mgr Anton Gouder. More serious, and to be condemned, were the continuous interruptions by members of the panel, two of whom are members of Parliament who should have set the example of how to debate in a civilised way.

I admired Mgr Gouder for the dignified manner in which he conducted himself despite the continuous barrage of interruptions and abuse; at the same time I pitied him. It was just a battle of one person against all those present. I cannot understand how Mgr Gouder succumbed to the temptation to take part in this programme when he should have known from past recordings of Xarabank that this is not the place for serious discussion.

I ask Mgr Gouder: What good did he expect to come out of this programme? In my opinion it did only one thing. It has confirmed the wide gap that exists between the Church authorities, who want a civilised and religious celebration of our patron saints, and those present who care little about the religious aspects of our feasts but want to use them to indulge in pagan/carnival celebrations in their localities.

The treatment meted out to Mgr Gouder should make others like him think twice before accepting to take part in future programmes based on cheap popularity.

Where was the religious spirit in this debate? Why all the animosity in what should have been an amicable discussion about how to improve the quality of our feasts? The reason came out clearly. Those present were more concerned about how to retain the status quo - uncontrollable activities and behaviour - than ready for any serious discussion of the consultation document.

The constant hammering about the streets belonging to the people is of much concern. It reminded us of the famous days of the 1970s and 1980s when even Archbishop Joseph Mercieca was the target of rowdy elements at Paola Lourdes. It seems that this monster of lawlessness does not need much encouragement to raise its head again.

It is disgusting that our state TV provides us with such cheap and mediocre programmes as Xarabank, which is an insult to our intelligence. It is about time that the state TV made a thorough review of its programmes and regaled the audience of TVM with more serious, interesting and informative ones.

One last comment, I expected among the audience or even included in the panel the writers/columnists who, come every summer, lash out against the alleged abuses committed during village feasts. They were conspicuous by their absence. Were they invited to the programme, and if in the affirmative why did they shy away? Those who followed Xarabank would like to know.