Understanding the value of the Church

This Island state is more than predominantly Catholic.

It is very Roman Catholic. And there is nothing wrong with all this. We would be far worse without a Church or a religion.

There have been times in our past when we would have hoped to be without a Church but overall Maltese history owes much to the Church.

The elders who lament with nostalgia over the good old days conveniently forget the darker days of the Church. Today’s Church is more humane, more social oriented and more fair.

Are there problems with the Church?

Yes, but attempting to transform the Maltese church into a Montebello styled Church would be a grave error for the Church.

And God forbid we had a spiritual leader with the ego of some of the RENEgade clerics.

The Church in Malta is part of the Universal Church, so no matter how much we debate celibacy or democracy in the Church, nothing will shake off before Rome opts for change.

The Church in Malta is not in a major crisis as many would prefer to believe. It is lively, conservative, caring and youthful. All those things that make it appealing to its diverse kingdom.

There is a small nucleus, but very vocal indeed who advocate a more dynamic and liberal Church. Often they are awarded a coverage which does not give credit to their representation in the Church. They state that the Church is not the Church of Christ but are unwilling to admit that their vision of the Church is surreal and simplistic.

This editorial may, more often than not appear too pleased with the way Archbishop Mercieca acts or better still fails to act. We hope that his pastoral messages will point out rather than predict.

But this is what makes the Church unique. The endearing ability to send a message in newspeak without creating divisions and fear.

The Church is not about votes, lobbying and marketing, but about faith, belief and hope. There are those who do not attach much value to the spiritual aspects of the Church. But this does not mean that one does not accept them or welcome them.

We feel that no one today is forced into upholding a belief or following a certain path. Yes, peer pressure may lead many to follow the Church blindly, but the majority choose to do so willingly.

Those who do so, appear to espouse a caring and considerate outlook.

One cannot go on imposing the Catholic way of life on all the population, as is the case with divorce. And there will come a time, when divorce will be available to those who cannot find ways of reconciling their marriage breakdown. In the meantime, the Church will argue that the regularization of divorce will catalyze the breakdown of marriages.

Yet, in this complex debate, where the Church remains entrenched in its ways, the fact remains that this institution, the Church, has much to offer in this consumer-oriented and fast moving life.

The art of whistleblowing

The outburst of senior civil servant, Gauci Borda at a Public Accounts Committee stirred up a number of fierce reactions.

The pro Nationalist press was scathing, the Labour press was jubilant.

Well, we applaud civil servants, who publicly declare an opinion or reveal a behaviour linked to abuse etc.

But was this such a case?

We know too little about Gauci Borda, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture to pass judgement on his character, but to judge the man for having chosen to stand up and talk is incorrect. Judging him for having said the wrong thing is another thing altogether.

Civil servants are, in their vast majority, a servile bunch who more often than not, look the other way when a decision is taken from high above, that conflicts with what is right or wrong.

They often also join the wrong doers in their actions.

Most do not take Mr Gauci Borda’s public approach, they work secretively, preferring the art of leakages and spokes-in-the-wheels approach.

Mr Gauci Borda may have crossed the line, but then again, the activities under scrutiny were indeed scandalous.

And if we look at the individuals mentioned in the drama, we fail to notice any sign of remorse.

There were many objections to Mr Gauci Borda’s stand, the most sublime was the one by Ranier Fsadni who attempted in typical Serracino Inglott doctrine, to define the meaning of whistleblower, but emphasising that Mr Gauci Borda’s theatrics had nothing to do with whistleblowing.

Which brings us to our view on whistleblowing: there are no half measures with whistleblowing. It is either everything or nothing and yes, whistleblowing equals insubordination and a break with confidentiality and respect for one’s superiors.

Whistleblowers are turncoats, who hit the news for a short period and are forgotten soon after. They reveal the truth because they suffer from inferiority complexes, have many chips on their shoulders and believe they have a conscience. Thanks to them, we have a better picture of the devious nature of human beings.

Being a whistleblower is an ungrateful and unappreciative job, but the least the media can do, is show some restraint and try not to shoot the chicken that lays the golden egg.