Frank Psaila (Fool’s paradise, November 9) referred to the lack of a more numerous presence of priests at Daphne Caruana Galizia’s funeral as shameful. Perhaps the word is a bit strong but the lack of a more massive presence by my priest friends surprised me, even if from afar. Daphne was not a politician but a journalist that relayed what was happening in Malta to the world’s reading population.

I tried to follow as best I could the developments on this outrageous assassination. What happened is beyond comprehension. As a Maltese living in a foreign country, I felt humiliated.

Some friends phoned me because of the Caruana in the surname, asking whether she was a relative. I replied I would have been very proud of her if she were. I felt it just to post an apology in my Facebook page, more so since they know me as a politically/socially-minded priest.

Back to the priests’ presence, or lack of it. I happened to be in Malta when Dom Mintoff died. For a moment I hesitated whether I should attend but then I asked myself if the Archbishop would be there? The answer was obvious and, so, I participated. I also made it a point to congratulate Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona on his homily.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna gave an evangelical testimony when he celebrated Holy Mass at Bidnija, close to where she was murdered, and was also present at her funeral.

Even Pope Francis sent a message of condolences to her family.

With their permission, I would like to address a comment to my fellow priests, who I deeply respect even from afar: there are moments in life when we cannot err – this was one of them.