While contemplating about the much maligned, by the PN propaganda machine, gutsy MP Franco Debono, I could not help drawing striking parallels between this intrepid young politician from the present turbulent epoch in Malta and the other brave idealist from the 15th century from Florence, Girolamo Savonarola, who was brought to trial, tortured, condemned and executed with two of his Dominican companions on 22 May 1498.

Savonarola too was rejected by his own church and his sermons condemned by Pope Alexander VI, not because he was evil or false but because he had been preaching the truth for a long time about the corrupt pontiff and his team of obsequious cardinals, some of whom had actually purchased their holy position in hard cash. The by now hackneyed maxim − Truth Hurts − which probably dates back to ancient times, was the reason behind Savonarola’s predicament.

Amazingly, shortly after his demise, the same Church that had recently tortured and garrotted him renewed his position as a martyr and a saint!

Of course today, in presumed civilised countries such as Malta, psychological torture has replaced physical torture, and instead hypocrisy has been sharpened and refined to replace past uncivilized practices that would otherwise appear too harsh and unappetizing for the eyes of modern man.

Nevertheless, it is extremely disturbing to ponder on the fact that after a time lapse of more than 500 years, men of principle, as can be observed in a number of familiar local cases, are still being targeted incessantly by certain obsolete politicians and their clerical collaborators.

Vladimir Cini

MARSAXLOKK