I must refer to the falsity as expressed by Ranier Fsadni (September 20) regarding Maltese saints. In principle I agree with him regarding the sanctity of Maria Adeodata of Jesus. At the same time, I cannot agree about two assertions. 

The first Maltese saint is St Publius who died in the lion’s den in Athens in the year 118. The Vatican had always accepted the martyrdom of Publius and his Maltese origins. This was undeniably confirmed by the Pope when the Pontiff had declared St Publius to be one of the patron saints of the islands.  According to canon law no person can be declared a patron saint unless he had already been confirmed to be a saint of the Church.

I appreciate the sterling work carried out by St George Preca. The lay movement set up by him used all the pressure possible to have him canonised, but in their earnest endeavour, they ignored, or brushed aside all the other holy people of these islands. It is a great pity that due to certain parochial pique and small island mentality, saints are used as a weapon against those considered to be adversaries.

Due to no fault of their own, the Benedictine nuns were not aggressive in their campaign to advance Adeodata’s case. Apart from the fact that “no saint is recognised within his community”, there is also the comeuppance of certain groups and parishes who at times use all forms of underhand methods to demean those considered to be their “enemies”.

It is a pity that the Maltese Curia has regularly fallen foul from declaring the absolute truth. A lie repeated often enough will forever remain a lie independent of how many chose to believe a falsity.

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