John B. Pace of Victoria raised the question of Daphne’s “hidden” agenda in his letter of 26 August. I think I can answer him with just the following few words. “She does not have one. She is merely an independent-minded person who does not need books to tell her right from wrong, nor does she need anyone else to tell her what to think or how to think.”
If Mr Pace feels that she has a hidden agenda because she spoke against something he cherishes, it may be that he is not very sure of himself in his own beliefs. Daphne is perfectly free to speak her mind, and speak it she does, and, while I myself do not agree with everything she says (I think she would be the last person to expect anyone to), I enjoy reading her opinion pieces because they are well-written, entertaining and sometimes, quite to the point.
I urge her to continue writing the way she does because that is the way she is and anyway she cannot do otherwise. To try and smother her artistic licence smacks of intolerance of people who have ideas different from one’s own, no matter how widespread these may be. In actual fact, it would be doing exactly what one accuses her of doing!
With regard to the current Catechism of the Catholic Church with its 691 pages, I do not think Daphne would be very interested in reading it, and I wonder how many people actually have. Besides, books are for reference in those moments of doubt or indecision, but the truth, the decisions of right or wrong in life that one frequently faces, need to be judged from one’s own inner knowledge and discrimination.
Mr Pace says that if everyone adopted the Catholic concept of loving God and neighbour, it would ensure peace in the world. First of all, that concept is more Christian than Catholic; secondly it is shared by all the other religions, barring the fringe oddities though I would not know for sure, that are practiced and have been practiced throughout history. In fact, some of them go even further and instruct their followers to love and respect not just one’s “neighbour” but also all creation since ALL of it is a manifestation of God.
Even races like the American Indians, the Aborigines, the Maoris, and so on who in the past were deemed barbarians or savages, had a religious set-up and understanding of life that dwarfed the Catholic beliefs of the time.
If everyone in Malta practiced love of God and one’s neighbour, there would indeed be peace; at least in Malta! But is it? What book of truths have the overcharging traders kept, to read when they are not fleecing their customers, or after they have attended Mass and possibly received Holy Communion? What about all the others who try to cheat, and lie unashamedly to all their prospective victims? What about the bus-drivers, and not only them, who have their buses plastered with holy pictures and pseudo-religious slogans and at the slightest provocation resort to the worst blasphemies one could imagine? What about so many of the rest who think first and last of themselves to everyone else’s detriment?
It is Christians who were instructed to turn the other cheek. Does the Catholic majority in Malta, for most are not true Christians anymore, turn the other cheek?
It is equally Christian to treat everyone else with respect and consideration, and to show moderation in one’s behaviour in everything one does. But does the Catholic Church in Malta itself do that? What about the Nadur farmers who risked, and maybe still risk, losing their livelihood because of the new cemetery? Did the Gozo Curia pay them any heed?
What about all those many people who have repeatedly objected to the loud bangs during Maltese feasts, which upset their babies, their animals, endanger their physical and mental well-being and make living during those periods a torment in hell? What response has the Catholic Church given, other than hiding behind words by implying they are not responsible, or by keeping silent? If the noise occurs during, and is a part of, their official feasts, even if they do not actually buy or pay for the petards, they still bear a moral responsibility, collectively and individually, in the eyes of the world for the noise-pollution they create and for any damage to the environment and harm to the personal health and life of people and animals that their practices may have engendered.
Indeed, as God has created everyone and all around us, irrespective of one’s religion, it deserves to receive from us the same love, care and respect that we have been taught since our infancy to show towards God. Lastly, since deeds speak louder than words, Daphne’s verbal misdemeanours, if she has committed any, pale into insignificance.
So keep writing, Daphne! At least you are giving one old man something to chuckle about and I thank you for it!
Alexander Cortis
ZABBAR