After a summer of rumours, worries and nail biting, the Curia has finally published a document aimed to “restore” village feasts, giving them a more religious and less profane wrapping.

And, after the hype that preceded the publication, with feast enthusiasts concerned that their favourite hobby would have been adversely hit by a series of provisions targeted to contain or reduce celebrations outside the churches, it turned out that the document is a rather timid exercise which will not change much.

It could be that the Church – perhaps unknowingly copying government strategy – raised the build-up towards the publication of the document by spreading false rumours that the Curia would have taken drastic steps against feasts. When, as happened, the document was published and it is clear that feasts will more or less remain the same, the waters calmed down immediately.

It was like the government saying that the water and electricity tariffs would have been raised by 100 per cent and then, when the actual tariffs are introduced, only a 10 per cent rise is announced. People think of the worst, and when the blow is less hard, they end up being thankful.

It could also be that the Church really intended to take a hard approach against feasts, but after the negative feedback it started to receive on the matter, it opted for a milder document that keeps the enthusiasts happy and at the same time give the general public the idea that something is being done about the situation.

Well, it ended up being a disappointing document, one that fails to tackle the main issues and leaves too many loose ends.

For one thing, having a photo of fireworks on the board behind the Archbishop when he addressed the media last Tuesday and on the front page of the document already gives the wrong idea. Fireworks are part of the profane area of our feasts.

Maybe the Curia did not want to have to choose which statue to utilise to promote the document, and opted for a photo that could have been taken anywhere so as not to upset anyone. But by using fireworks it gave the wrong impression – even more so that fireworks did not feature much in the proposals when it is known that it is probably the most controversial issue when it comes to feasts.

In fact, most complaints aired about feasts concern fireworks – and mostly because they disturb the people of the locality and of other villages nearby. All throughout summer, the media is inundated with

letters and comment pieces that speak about the disregard shown towards people when loud fireworks start early in the morning and go on till late at night.

All the Curia is interested in is the protection of its liturgical functions, saying that fireworks should not disturb them. This is how it should be, but what about people who are woken up at 8am after having returned home from working night shift? Is it ok to disturb them?

And, another thing, is it still ok to have Church bells starting to ring as early at 6am when most people wake up later?

It is also strange that the Curia has stopped the addition of more decorations until 2012 and will only allow more decorations from 2013 onwards “if necessary or to substitute” other decorations. The preparation and maintenance of decorations is a harmless pastime for many feast enthusiasts – yet this has been put under control immediately, whereas the letting off of fireworks and the holding of band marches (which also cause so much traffic chaos) has not been touched.

The document deals with the nitty-gritty of the feasts – such as the prohibition of turning the statue to face the people – but fails to tackle the overall issues that disturb the people so much.