Back in the old days, parish priests used to be right up there with the village doctor, the lawyer and the MP.

Thanks to a rise in education and a shift in lifestyles, the strong kappillan influence has waned. Which begs the question: what sort of role does the parish priest have nowadays?

Honestly, I think parish priests are going through an identity crisis. Should they be spiritual leaders to a fast diminishing flock? Should they just be a presence, a formal figure or pushy authoritarians? In the past, the role of the kappillan was clear-cut. Not so now - it's up to each individual priest to interpret the post as he deems fit.

Which is why we have lately seen the rise of the 'Parish Priest Businessman'. They're the kind who run their parish as a corporation, who fancy themselves as the new Anġlu Xuereb on the block.

Here's an example: My daughter's nursery school uses the facilities of Pembroke parish building. Or I should say 'used to' because the school's contract will not be renewed this year. The Pembroke kappillan deemed it more profitable to rent out the space to language schools.

Sure, there's nothing irregular or illegal here. It's just a straightforward, more commercial business deal. But here's the crux: you would sort of think that a parish priest would stop for a minute, not to count the dosh, but to actually consider the needs of his community. Would the young Pembroke community stand to benefit more from a flow of Italian teenagers or from a nursery school?

It seems to me that parish priests, like most of us, are confusing real needs with wants. I don't mean this to sound anti-clerical in anyway. And I know there are many who sing the praises of their parish priest: "Ours doesn't stop working for a minute," some will tra-la-la. Fair enough. But do we need a money-making ox for a parish priest or an inspiring leader?

Booker prize author Mark Vernon had it right when he said: "People want to hear spiritual ideas, demanding ideas, ideas that make a difference. Bring back the sermon!" Ah, the sermon: that costless effort of closing our minds to distractions and focusing for a short while on an idea spun from someone else's imagination. How lovely it is to listen to something which makes us pause.

The problem is that most pulpit sermons are becoming increasingly patronising, and - for want of another word - narrow-minded. The last time I went to Mass, the thirty-something priest was rattling about the fires of hell awaiting separated people. Perfect. Probably a fourth of the congregation was separated. Gah, out of touch, alright.

And what a pity! For the truth is that as humans we are constantly seeking direction. And we are tiring of flicking through TV channels or surfing the net, finding little by way of good counsel. We need respite from the speed and pressures of life. And we need key people to inspire us and help us keep our sanity. Parish priests could do just that. They need to promote things that improve the state of our minds - not just the state of the parish bank balance.

Instead of pulpit blah-blah, they could, for example, recommend bits of poetry. Poetry soothes and consoles, offers a sanctuary, a place where the spirit can go, laying aside the trappings of worldly things.

Or they could organise some sparky communal meetings (not another tombola, for Christ's sake). My idea is that all parish priests would set up a pub garden in their town or village.

You don't really need anything - just a hallowed ground in a spot of sunshine, some tasty food and a quenching tipple, and perhaps a little kids' playground with some animals - a couple of ducks, a donkey and a rabbit hutch. Won't we all be set for an afternoon of soulful fun?

We are becoming more and more a secular society. Sure, there's a tremendous freedom in that, but there are ramifications: the so-called 'God-shaped hole'. Consequently, we all seek to nurture our spiritual sides, without perhaps falling strictly under the 'Catholic' stamp.

The author Joan Bakewell says "we must make love, instead of making money". I know it would be too much to ask that of a parish priest but their role should still be to point out the values we should live by today; the virtues to cling to and the vices to be wary of.

In the meantime, if you have a sizeable space with a large yard in the whereabouts of Pembroke which you'd like to rent, do drop us a line.

krischetcuti@gmail.com