I write this letter with trepidation, lest I am accused of entering into the world of politics. But I beg to disagree with Eddie Privitera that church attendance is dwindling because of Archbishop Charles Scicluna’s overt politically biased comments.

This decline started during the Church-State dispute of the 1960s. I can quote from at least two pastoral letters, of January 1962 and March 1966, wherein the Archbishop warned electors that anti-clerical people (which means that some socialists already harboured these sentiments) should not vote for candidates who showed that they intend to go against the laws of the Church and Catholic principles but choose for Parliament people who treasure the religious heritage of our forefathers.

The 61,000 soldiers of steel who defied all the above recommendations naturally abandoned the Church’s teachings throughout the subsequent years and their siblings were raised in an irreligious or non-religious home and willingly fell out of the ranks like those having a very weak commitment to their boyhood religion. Over time, the present generation has become increasingly detached from their scant religious culture.

Then in 1994 we had another Archbishop, the meek and humble Mgr Joseph Mercieca, who was incidentally assaulted on a couple of occasions, who warned us about subtle teachings against the Church. This teaching throughout his episcopate was conveyed with great energy and insistence and the harm done was indeed extensive. After that followed an apparent lull and peace, sufficient for Pope Benedict XVI to say when he visited Malta: “Here in Malta you live in a society that is steeped in Christian faith and values. You should be proud of your country for defending the unborn and promoting stable family life by saying no to abortion and divorce. I urge you to maintain this courageous witness to the sanctity of life and the centrality of marriage and family life for a healthy society.”

But even those recommendations fell on deaf ears and eventually divorce was introduced.

St Paul wrote to Timothy:

“For there will come a time [and the time is now] when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will keep up to themselves teachers according to their lusts, and they will turn away their hearing from the truth and turn aside rather to fables.

“But do thou be watchful in all things. Bear tribulation patiently, work as a preacher of the gospel, fulfill thy ministry.”

He could as well have addressed these wise words to our Archbishop, who is carrying out exactly the exhortation of Paul.

This was the long deteriorating religious situation Mgr Scicluna found himself in.

How could he remain silent with all these disturbing loose morals around us?

Privitera knows all this and I have the nagging feeling that he will agree with me.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.