The Maltese people, in their vast majority and irrespective of their own personal beliefs, gave the new Archbishop a stirring welcome. His appointment has come at a time when Malta acutely needs a swift and poignant shift in all directions, be they spiritual or secular, if she is to genuinely believe herself and convince others she has entered the 21st century after all.

The appointment of a new Archbishop is like the election of a new government. There are new visions to be projected and pursued and new challenges ahead to be confronted, which means that after the celebrations marking such an event, there comes the crunch of proving, once and for all, that we have matured enough as a nation to distinguish between simply making merry and facing up to realities.

Monsignor Paul Cremona’s undoubted charisma has shed a welcome shaft of light over a diocese that is deeply divided over both trivial and serious issues at all levels of society and in everyday life, from the not infrequent village fist fights over parking space to the forthcoming general election, whenever that’s held.

For one moment in time, though, the nation seemed united enough to welcome the new Archbishop and to show its solidarity in the streets and open spaces of the capital, villages and towns all over these islands. It is what follows these colourful, sometimes even boisterous celebrations to mark this important appointment that confounds the general observer. Will it be just back to our old routine of intense political polarisation, or is there the hope of some form of reconciliation, a word that was liberally bandied about, used and abused after the 1987 election but which was never actually put into real practice?

The fervent Maltese Catholics who rightly rejoiced in recent weeks will now have to show they are aware of their responsibilities as both members of society and the Church they belong to.

Sadly, most of our actions in all walks of life do not reflect well on our beliefs, whether stringent or flexible, in many cases possibly lacking. Respect for the environment, for example, has never been considered as part and parcel of these same beliefs. Had it been, the Maltese environment would not be in the sad and sickening state it is in today.

It goes on at the same worrying pace with regard to so many other important things in life, alas. Our traditional political allegiances have not really lost any of their potency and we continue to use them as a yardstick whenever we assess all that happens around us. It all reminds me of the sticker I once saw in a Bonn pub frequented by university students and which read: “Say one wise word and you’re branded a communist.” Such simplified attitudes do not help re-address our politics and political systems, nor do they nurture any hope among the younger generation that is already only too confused and aware of the hypocritical side of the ruling class.

The general feeling of helplessness that has gripped this nation even goes down to the level of standard road behaviour. For such passionate Catholics welcoming the new Shepherd, there is still too much disrespect on the road as we drive, crying foul at each other from one side of the island to the other. There is no decency in our attitude to one another and courtesy is a rare commodity. Whenever a fellow driver coming from the opposite direction actually makes a positive gesture of sorts, our reaction is one of disbelief, even shock, as it so often unexpected.

Living our beliefs, whatever beliefs they are, is not something we show all too willingly. The saga of the poor men, women and children who flee their countries and grudgingly find themselves among us is the umpteenth confirmation of this bitter reality. Staunch Catholics have written and spoken against these so-called illegal immigrants, and employers have camouflaged kindness in the colour of greed by opting to exploit them while appearing sympathetic to their plight.

The Maltese are fond of celebrating and there should be no begrudging that national trait. Why should we refrain from displaying our Latin temperament in celebrating the winning of football championships, electoral victories, weddings, graduations and the appointment of a new Church leader? But when the celebrations are over we should be just as willing and as enthusiastic to confirm it wasn’t all just a temporary charade.