Protests against the decisions or actions of somebody are deemed ethically right or wrong according to the cause, though peaceful demonstrations are tolerated as long as they are lawfully organised and some countries consider them to be a civil right.
On the other hand, violent demonstrations cannot be defensible under any circumstances even if they are inspired by a good and legitimate cause. This principle is well established; the end does not justify the means.
The responsibility to rectify, so far as possible, the harm or damage done by violent acts lies squarely on the shoulders of the perpetrators. But even those who in some way or other provoked the reaction have their share of culpability.
The world's media have given much prominence to the violent demonstrations by Moslems against the publication of an irreverent cartoon satirising the prophet of Islam. Opinions have been sharply divided, one side stressing the seriousness and illegality of the mob riots; the other pointing their accusing finger at the provokers, namely those responsible for the publication of the controversial cartoons. The freedom of the press versus the sanctity of religious beliefs.
It should not be forgotten that provocation is unethical and the people who commit this misdeed should be held responsible for the consequences that ensue. In physics, it is stated that "action and reaction are equal and opposite". But in the social and political sphere - in other words, human nature - the equation does not always hold good because the reaction may sometimes be far more severe than the act that provoked it.
Before trying to find an answer to some urgent questions about vital issues such as freedom of speech, the rights of religious freedom and the consequent corollary of defending one's religious sentiments, some basic facts must be analysed and brought to the fore. This is necessary to avoid misunderstandings, get rid of certain prejudices and, hopefully, pave the way for a more fruitful inter-religious dialogue and peaceful existence in a pluralistic society that requires the acknowledgement of the rights of the others, with reciprocal respect.
It could well be that our Western civilisation is not fully aware of the impact that the sense of the sacred may have on the behaviour of some people, leading sometimes to doleful excesses. But it is a common phenomenon, for Christian and non-Christian religions, to foster this sense of the sacred, and instil religious values; there is no wrong in doing so, provided they do not turn out fanatics - who are always misfits in a democratic society. In fact, every religion displays due reverence to its sacred writings, signs and persons.
However, this sense of the sacred ebbs and flows in some places, reaching a peak and then plummeting. The latter extreme seems to be gaining ground in modern Europe, including our own country. The other extreme is no less dangerous when arson, incitement and similar criminal behaviour is condoned in the name of religion. But the due reverence to what is considered sacred in itself is not out of place and should be observed even by those who do not share the same religious views.
It seems some people representing European culture find this difficult to understand; so much so that they can hardly tolerate the cross - which for practising Christians is a religious sign - being placed in schools and hospitals. They are even less capable of understanding that vilifying sacred things or persons of other religions is a very serious offence for the members who may be very reluctant to let it pass away with impunity.
Of course, there are freedoms, of expression and opinion, without which the media cannot thrive. But freedoms are not unlimited discretion. Responsibility is the key.
It would be a great shame if all the recent actions and reactions jeopardise the praiseworthy, if belated, efforts to improve Christian-Moslem relations. And unless these efforts yield the positive results they deserve, the future for all of us seems to be very bleak.
Mgr Cauchi is the Bishop Emeritus of Gozo.