I read Daphne Caruana Galizia’s comments about the recent EU ruling regarding the Catholic crucifix. I am afraid that it is she who hopelessly misses the point. First, she suggests that the real problem is the crucifix and not the cross. Does she honestly believe that would solve the problem? It didn’t in France... I suspect some secular humanist wouldn’t be content until every last church, convent or road-side shrine was taken down.
These secularists and the people like Mrs Caruana Galizia are the ones who really make me afraid and make me uncomfortable; certainly not a harmless little man on a cross crowned in thorns who reaches his loving arms to all people. Yes, he reaches out. The crucifix is the greatest symbol of love, and I defy Mrs Caruana Galizia or anyone else to present a superior image of love. What greater sign is there to show children than a man willing to die, the most outrageous pain and suffering, all for love of you? I guess she would prefer Mickey Mouse? Should we live in a Disney world of little baby dreams? Or should we present reality? Funny I went to Catholic school and have never suffered from any of the deep psychological disturbances of which Mrs Caruana Galizia speaks.
Why should we be held hostage by EU courts and a few whining secularists? Why not vigorously defend the very identity that built Europe. What Mrs Caruana Galizia wants is to white-wash the world, create a little utopia of touchy-feely, feel-good, fuzzy wuzzies. Only problem is that the world isn’t like that, and never will be since the bare-bone reality is that sometimes life hurts, people get chewed up in war, some people end up in ditches starving in Africa, even giving birth is somewhat a violent act with lots of blood and cries. Life is replete with moans and groans. Anything that is of any value demands sacrifice. To want to live in her naive world of wishful thinking and shallow values, I ask is this better for children? If she would stop her pouting, kicking and shouting she might learn something. If she only shut her mouth and open her eyes she might see something. The crucifix isn’t something to get rid of. It is to be jealously guarded and taught as part of the reality of European civilization stemming from Jewish civilization-forming our Judean-Christian heritage. It IS the consummate symbol of Love and Absolute Freedom.
Mrs Caruana Galizia’s wish to live under a plexi-glass case apart from pain and suffering is the plea of a little, silly girl. Look around Daphne, the cross is everywhere. People suffer. That is why my grandmother clung to it as she died because it is the passage to eternal bliss. A teddy bear didn’t quite have the same meaning as she passed her final days. I say to those who can’t take the crucifix: Take out your dummy, grow up-that’s for babies, and get real! Life is full of crosses, and when you have a hard day, we can look upon the crucifix and realise He is always there for us. Love Personified and thank God for it!
Sally Beardson
UK