From Ms J. Refalo
Charles Flores is sadly mistaken when he says that Gozitan parochialism is evidence of the Gozitans being “dinosaurs”.
First, as stated in a letter by Mr Caruana, parochialism had reached a point in some places in Malta that warranted the cancellation of feasts.
And what is parochialism? Isn’t it one parish feeling superior to another? And, Mr Flores, isn’t your sense of Maltese superiority over Gozitans another form of “parochialism”?
Do you think that the Gozo Bishop’s shuffling and dismissal of archpriests at a moment’s notice will solve parochialism? It isn’t the archpriests who instigate parochialism, but rather the attitude of a few club members who taunt each other after imbibing one too many beers, or whatever!
If the Bishop wants to stamp out parochialism then he is facing a well-nigh impossible task for it isn’t the archpriests that need to be changed, but the mentality and culture of the Maltese and Gozitans for whom feasts is a Bacchic time for showing off one’s clothes, gold, church decorations and fireworks and bands, a time for drinking and flocking around the food kiosks!
If Bishop Mario Grech is expecting Lourdes-type processions with young and old following the statue as they meditate on the mysteries of the rosary, then he had better think again.
And Mr Flores, what’s wrong with defending the former archpriest of the cathedral, Rev. Joe Vella Gauci? He is a man who won the admiration of so many! And rightly so!
First, as had been stated in a letter by the same Mr Caruana, he had given up a well-paid job as lecturer to be a more efficient archpriest. He set up funds to help single mothers. He helped all those who came to him, regardless of their political beliefs.
He always treated the Bishop with respect, invited him to Cathedral functions, and he always made sure there were refreshments for him and never bore a grudge, even when the Bishop was installed – il-pussess – and all the choirs of Gozo were invited to the ceremony, all that is, except that of the cathedral!
The question WHY? still rings in my ears and still I get no answer!
I can swear to the fact that Rev. Joe Vella Gauci would hush anyone who criticised the rival parish or their archpriest. He never reneged on the contract regarding Good Friday processions as was done; he never rang the cathedral bells to disrupt the other parish’s festivities as had been done to him. What Rev. Joe Vella Gauci got during his administration was a bomb at the cathedral door, or have we already forgotten about that? What he got for all his hard work was an undignified dismissal and loss of income! His only dispute was to improve the traffic flow in the cathedral area and to beautify the square in front of the cathedral. And what is wrong with that?
No, Mr Flores, the “dinosaurism” is not Gozitan parochialism, but our fears to speak our minds! The stupid mentality that if one supports a certain victim then that person is making a political statement! It is in the stubborn refusal to sit down and talk things out in a civil manner. If there is an -ism to be feared, then it is nepotism! And I mean more than just family members using the Episcopal car to jump the queue ready to board the ferry!
I hope the Bishop realises we are not living in the Middle Ages when, as the priests passed by, people would doff their hats, bow low and kiss their hands or the hems of their cassocks. The good shepherd holds the flock together, not scatters it. Christ said: “if the hand hinders you, chop it off! If the eye, pluck it out!” He didn’t say get rid of the whole body because of the arm or eye! When pruning your tree you got rid of some deadwood, but you also got rid of some prime, fruit producing limbs as well. On the other hand, you do have a couple of old branches on the tree and, for some reason, you have decided to leave them there for a few years longer!
Joanna Refalo
VICTORIA