From Mr C. Zammit

Most probably, everyone here in Malta and in America has heard or read about what happened around 40 years ago between Fr Anthony Mercieca and the former Republican Congressman Mark Foley.

Like anybody else, I read and watched TV, and the best write-up I read was Daphne Caruana Galizia’s article on the subject. This unloved journalist, who sometimes steps on toes, does not mince her words, and calls a spade a spade.

Like I said, she’s a great journalist and I hope she retains her style of writing, which is refreshing and witty. However, the ability of this writer is not in question with me, nor is it the subject of this letter. No, the most important question is, when priests unfortunately find themselves in Fr Mercieca’s situation, and when young victims find the courage to go public and “spill the beans” as they say – when the matter is history – what are the church authorities going to do about this immense problem? Yes, they are going to investigate, they are going for cursory action and what not.

My dear friends, this ugly subject matter is called celibacy, and as long as the Vatican Church authorities leave things as they are, the problem is not going away or to the moon, it is staying in their laps, until they (Vatican authorities) abrogate what they did centuries ago, maybe thinking at the time that celibate priests would enhance the church. Sadly, they forgot one crucial thing: no one should go against nature. Do not get me wrong, hermits do live a celibate life, maybe, but when hermits start their arduous vigil they go where there are no boys – or young girls, for that matter. Joking aside, this delicate and ugly trauma, especially for the victims – and these are many – can and does ruin their

lives, and imagine how many victims never go public because they are now married or in a relationship, so they stay mute.

This vast unholy situation has been with us, and mainly with the Roman Catholic Church, for hundreds of years. During this time, the church has tried everything possible to curtail this abuse, but unfortunately in a cursory fashion. But having said that, what the hell could the church do? Castigate newly-ordained priests or, better still, castrate them, then the problem is gone? No, this is no laughing matter and definitely the church must do something about this scourge, which gives us Roman Catholics especially a bad and nasty image.

I would be sorry if this letter appears to be judging or blaming anyone, which is not the intention, but things will calm down, and level heads will start thinking and maybe come to the conclusion that this grave situation starts with the church and ends with it.

The church has made huge positive advances during its long history and maybe now it is time to change the requirements for priests so that marriage is not an obstacle. On the contrary, I think it would be a blessing, and perhaps convents and churches would once again be full, and Our Lord Jesus Christ would be greatly pleased.

Charles Zammit

SWIEQI