In the face of the ever abounding contributions to these columns by lay gurus criticising the Church, one would doubtless realise how these words, which St Paul addressed to Timothy, besides being the true and prophetic Word of God, are the message which becomes the people of Malta:

"But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus... For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfil your ministry" - 2 Timothy 3:14 - 15; 4:3 - 5.