It seems the recent public declaration by the General Workers’ Union dissociating itself from editorial comments made in its own newspaper served very little purpose, if at all.

Its Maltese language daily, L-Orizzont, used harsh language vis-a-vis Times of Malta and The Malta Independent journalists. The country’s largest trade union said the comments were inappropriate, pointing out it always worked for unity and not division or confrontation.

Now, in another leader called Qalbna ma’ Toni (solidarity with Tony), the same newspaper unleashes an unbridled attack on Archbishop Charles Scicluna. It refers to Tony Zarb who served as the union’s secretary general between 1998 and 2015.

Mr Zarb had kept a low profile since retirement from the GWU but made a public appearance during the latest electoral campaign, addressing political activities organised by the Labour Party.

Over the past days, he attacked Nationalist MEPs Roberta Metsola and David Casa, calling them “traitors and backstabbers”, among other things, and also Pana committee chairman Werner Langen. This followed a European Parliament debate on rule of law in Malta.

In subsequent comments to this newspaper, Mgr Scicluna said: “Hate speech, wherever it comes from, is unbecoming of grown-ups debating issues of national importance. Democracy will never be served by attempts at character assassination and intimidation of the other.”

L-Orizzont was up in arms, defending its former top executive and, just as it did when taking aim at journalists from the independent media, it demonstrated no restraint in its criticism of Mgr Scicluna.

Of course, everyone has a right to express disagreement and criticise another’s statements and actions. But that must be done in full respect of one’s dignity and in recognition of the fact that freedom of expression is not restricted to one side.

In the opinion of the GWU daily, the Archbishop has exceeded all limits of decency and prudence. “Being the fanatic that he is, [Mgr Scicluna] refuses to accept the people’s verdict when, on the glorious day of June 3, Joseph Muscat was confirmed [in government] with an even larger majority,” it said.

It is almost as if L-Orizzont is promoting the idea that might is right, that being in the majority gives somebody the right to denigrate the minority and, worse, deny them their rights.

The newspaper then attempts to take the high moral ground, so to speak, but also makes a veiled threat: “Catholics should remain strong in their faith. We are aware that the Vatican is already thinking of recalling [Mgr Scicluna] and free this people from an unsuitable shepherd who, when he appears before the supreme Judge, will be asked: ‘Why did you spot the speck in the eyes of my faithful but failed to notice the beam in your atheists? Why did you not look after my sheep and beat thousands of them, patting only one?’”

We repeat the appeal we made editorially a few days ago for both the President and the Prime Minister to use their influence and ensure that common sense prevails. Regrettably, there are people who still argue that those who are not for us are against us. Such ‘logic’ completely ignores the fact that, to be a good father/mother, one must, at times, exercise tough love.

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