So now we all know what and who has been fuelling the so-called “public unrest” in Victoria, Gozo, with regard to the changing of the Cathedral’s archpriest.

I never had a moment’s doubt about who was behind it all, but reading your paper of 21 October left me absolutely certain.

A holy priest would have bowed his head, obeyed immediately and suffered in silence and far away from the public eye. Or do we only use the saints’ lives for the pulpit?

How strange it is for a priest – any priest – to think that he should take the matter to Rome when he is not in agreement with his Ordinary, the Bishop.

How strange it is for a priest to suppose that he should remain representing his Bishop in a parish, even though that same Bishop deems otherwise.

All this brings me to one conclusion: how right the Bishop of Gozo was in his stance.

I remember from my past (long past, admittedly!) theological formation that the Bishop of the Diocese is “the fullness of the priesthood”. In other words, from him and him alone emanates the priest’s ecclesiastical power to administer the Sacraments. If you are not at one with your Bishop, you are not at one with the Church.

That is Catholic teaching for you. And whether you like it or not, the Catholic Church is not a democracy. If you are in the club, you simply have to follow the rules.

So, go on, give us all a break. Move aside, and let the Church continue Her mission. This all-year-round parochial carnival that takes place in the diocese of Gozo, and particularly in Victoria, is long past its sell-by date.

Franco Farrugia

PIETÁ.