I would like to make some observations regarding the comments made during the TV programme on PBS, titled Popolin. During the programme of Wednesday, 4 October, one of the panel members, Phylisienne Brincat mentioned that the Bible states that the original sin is linked to disabilities and sickness.
When she stated this, she was only quoting the Bible but during the programme she was misinterpreted when those present accused her of saying that people born with a disability are born with an impairment because their parents had sinned. In fact, in the Bible it is stated that when Jesus was asked if a boy who was born blind, the blindness was due to the supposition that his parents had sinned, he answered that this was not the case and further explained that the boy was born blind so that the glory of God would be manifested (see John 9:1-7).
As a blind person myself I can vouch for Jesus’ words in that I am truly a manifestation of God’s glory because in spite of being blind the Lord has helped me in doing His will in the community and also the fact that I have many people helping me is also a manifestation of the Glory of God’s love. The truth is that in the Bible we find that when the first humans (Adam and Eve) sinned, the original sin entered the world and a curse fell on humanity with all sorts of disorders, such as wars, epidemics, hunger and environmental disasters, just to mention a few (see Genesis 3:16-19). When Jesus was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing (see Galatians 3:13). Those who accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour are forgiven of all their sins. But this does not mean that we do not die, get sick or suffer.
I would also like to remark that after this misinterpretation of Ms Brincat (or lack of proper explanation), the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities went all out to condemn her remarks.
But where was the Commission when the Social Security corruption scandal hit the news that persons who falsely claimed that they had a disability were robbing our money?
The Commission’s silence is deafening and one can understand why this silence. Most of the members of the Commission are now appointed by the government and would not dare speak out lest they cause discomfort to the hand that feeds them.
Carmelo Borg
Sliema