The Malta Independent 5 July 2025, Saturday
View E-Paper

What On earth is wrong with us?

Malta Independent Wednesday, 14 April 2010, 00:00 Last update: about 16 years ago

There are many things going on in the world which could severely impact on our future – the Greek issue, the stability of the euro, the Catholic sex abuse scandals.

All are being talked about and as globalisation extends its far reaching tendrils, each one of the issues mentioned above has touched tiny Malta. But the way the world’s media has pounced on a simple column in Luqa really does reveal a lot about the human psyche.

To put the issue into context, we are talking about the Colonna Mediterranea which was created by artist Paul Vella Critien and has been on show in the town of Luqa since 2006. Ever since it was first erected (excuse the pun), this monument has been at the centre of controversy.

Put in plain English, a lot of people think it looks like a phallus and they think it is offensive. Well, the Luqa mayor recently renewed his appeal to the authorities to have it removed because he (and others) believe that it will cause offence to Pope Benedict when he arrives in Malta and is whisked away from the airport to attend his appointments.

Well, it seems our little (or not so little) monument has caused quite a stir in the global news networks. Yes, that is what you just read – our monument has hit all the newswires and up to last night, it was beginning to go viral after a story and (not so flattering) photo was uploaded to the BBC News website. It was in fact the second most read item on the BBC website.

One must say, after the heartrending press conference given by a number of men who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Maltese priests, it really does reflect badly on us as human beings.

The truth of the matter is that we are making absolute fools out of ourselves. Right now, as you are reading this, Vatican officials will be poring over the Maltese papers to glean more information about the public’s mood before the Pope’s upcoming visit this weekend. You can rest assured that the Vatican will be a lot more concerned at the vandalised billboards (which also made international headlines) which attributed sexual abuse to the Pope. As our sister paper did in its leading article on Sunday, we condemn such acts. But the point of the matter is that right now, a few high-ranking priests and a few technocrats will be having a right giggle at us cringing because of a phallus-like monument.

What we must also say is that the Pope lives in the Vatican City, within the precincts of Rome. Now if you have ever been to Rome (or even seen a postcard) you would immediately realise that it is full of obelisks and phallus-like monuments.

This is all being blown out of proportion and one very much doubts that Pope Benedict would have even noticed the monument. He certainly will now, he will be informed of the current controversy and might even make it a point to look out of the window of his car to see what the fuss is all about.

We would probably do a lot better in re-evaluating our Catholic vows (or the way we breach them) and we would do a lot better in trying to heal the wound of those who have been abused – as Archbishop Paul Cremona has tried to do in meeting with them.

While we understand that no one wants to offend the Holy Father, we do also believe that he has more pressing matters on his mind (as do we) and that a simple coloured column would not have caused him much ire.

  • don't miss