From Dr J. Bonnici PhD, JD

The latest outburst about parochialism at the Gozo Cathedral misses a crucial point. The current brouhaha is being stirred and fanned from the shadows by one man who anonymously fires one missive after another. The tolerance for anonymous names in certain Maltese mass media leads to a fictitious show of clenched fists when it’s just uncle emptying his ink pod.

Writing under false names is common practice among Gozitan authors even ones that are well established. For example – and I mention this only as an example without reference to the above issue – Msgr Anton Gauci, one of the best known book authors hailing from Gozo, speaking on his own behalf in the 15 September issue of l-orizzont, wrote: “I am absolutely not against making use of a pseudonym. I would even admit that I myself make use of it” (Assolutament miniex kontra l-uzu tal-psewdonomu. Anzi nistqarr li jiena stess nuzah.). You can check his letter for yourself at http://www.l-orizzont.com/news. asp?newsitemid=38315

Why would the octogenarian Monsignor, with a stable and assured income, want to publicly express his thoughts through the use of pseudonyms? Is he aware that this well-intended practice on his part could inadvertently set a negative example to a weirdo who would then use this journalistic mechanism to hurl stones anonymously in the press against the Bishop’s Curia in Victoria?

I appeal to Msgr Gauci and other Gozitan authors to reveal their true names every time they share their wisdom with us.

I also ask Msgr Gauci to use his well-established influence with the Leone Band Club (that allowed him to publicly address its meeting about the Cathedral boycott) to encourage a retraction of the club’s latest anonymous press release (4 October) that contains omissions and misinterpretations of Canon Law. The two previous press releases about the appointment of the new archpriest were signed by the Club’s president and secretary, but the latest one dealing with Canon Law runs without their signatures since they wouldn’t cover for its anonymous writer.

The press release harps on Canon Law 536 but fails to point out that according to 536§2 “The pastoral council has only a consultative vote.” Hence, the pastoral council and its Leone members can’t dictate to the Bishop whom to appoint as an archpriest.

The press release claims that the Leone Band Club “forms part of the parish’s Administrative Council according to Canon Law 537.” Canon Law 537, I’m afraid, refers to the formation of a finance council and doesn’t bestow any rights of dictating to the Bishop whom to appoint as an archpriest.

The press release omits the fact that the Cathedral Parish Council, through a written declaration that was widely distributed among parishioners, thanked the Bishop for his wise choice of a new archpriest.

The press release also omits Canon Law 1401, which holds that “the Church has its own and exclusive right to judge (1) cases which refer to matters which are spiritual or linked with the spiritual [and] (2) the violation of ecclesiastical laws.” Judging by the contents of the press release, it’s the anonymous writer that retains this right.

Joseph Bonnici

RHODE ISLAND

USA