From Ms M. Mercieca

I read Daphne Caruana Galizia's articles week after week and, although I must admit that I appreciate her unique writing style, I never fail to notice her arrogance whenever she gives her opinion on the Catholic Church and whatever or whoever has anything to do with it.

She has no right whatsoever to assume that all the Maltese feel the same way she does – quote “we were raised as Catholics, liked nothing about it” unquote. Being as brilliant and intelligent as she thinks she is, she should know that generalisation is never acceptable in an opinion page. Or is she perhaps using the Royal plural?

It was completely absurd to compare Archbishop Cremona to celebrities like Prince Andrew, Jude Law or Jade Goody. Does she think that the Maltese people are only interested in Hollywood glamour, Big Brother shows, expensive lifestyles and posh cars? Catholicism gives us Catholics a sense of direction in life and a fulfilment that many cannot imagine living without.

Furthermore, I would like to point out (because I know what her usual assumption would be) that I am not a moping, desperate, lonely housewife who was pushed into being a member of the parish council because she had nothing better to do in life. On the contrary, I'm a devoted wife, mother and tertiary-educated career woman and, yes, I happen to be on the church parish council too. And proud of it for that matter!

Daphne fruitful imagination is so running away with her that she actually believes what she imagines, and seems to think that whoever has anything to do with the Church – says the rosary, prays with the family or receives the Eucharist – is a stupid and narrow-minded individual without any other interests in life! Therefore I humbly ask her to get a life and start thinking beyond what she thinks is real.

Making a dig at our new Archbishop because of his genuine smile is simply unacceptable. Only a person who has known the true love of Christ can express such great emotion and joy, which Daphne cannot, by her own admission, understand. Moreover, Christ and the Church can never be separated. One cannot presume to believe in God and Christ and then speak with such bitterness against His Church.

Daphne should let the Maltese Catholics live their life and stop patronising them. We really don't need her permission to feel proud that we have such a charismatic archbishop who has left a positive effect on us with his charm, his smile and his profound spirituality.

The vast public expression of hope, joy and celebration of the past few days for Archbishop Cremona is a clear indication that the Church is still very deeply rooted in Maltese culture. Praise the Lord!

Marianne Mercieca

MOSTA