I return again after the absence of a month where the voluntary work that took me abroad and then the family holiday – together with a desire for a complete rest from controversy – means that I have been cut off from the great events that rock this little isle of ours.

Implosion

It seems there is a lot of catching up to do. I learn that many local councils have imploded. I must admit that having been a member of one for a relatively short time means that I am not at all surprised. The bickering and the backstabbing that goes on mimics the behaviour of our national politics and, in many cases, the needs of the locality also run. The Prime Minister does not accept this and reasons that political parties are essential to field candidates for elections, draw up manifestos and provide organisation to the system. I am still of the opinion however that that could still be done without the formal political structure local councils have. It seems from what I read that an ever-increasing spectrum of the population is expressing this feeling.

It is also true, as the Prime Minister has reportedly declared, that most countries have the same political format we adopted. What they may not have, at least to the same extent, is the complete dominion on people’s lives that Malta’s political parties have, a dominion that the creation of local councils in their present form has further reinforced. The question that arises therefore remains as valid as when I asked it personally of the Prime Minister: Does governing this little bit of rock need well over 300 counsellors in Malta alone, plus all the Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Assistants together with the Cabinet of Ministers and their huge staffs and what is left of the Civil Service? To believe this brings us to the edge of ludicrousness but don’t take my word for it and rock on.

Explosion

If some of the local councils imploded, the firework factories are on the contrary exploding. It is becoming a common occurrence to either hear, or feel the shock wave of a fireworks factory that goes boom. Yes, the Ghaxaq amateurs deserve all praise for their excellent result obtained in an open competition abroad, but the price of the sport is becoming rather exorbitant. This sort of event usually leads to the demand for the outlawing of firework displays and production. I am no lover of the noise generated – we have too much of that in any case – but it is a tradition and I must admit that a festa without a fireworks display is almost inconceivable. What really needs to be done is to ensure that every single person involved in the production of fireworks is expertly trained and licensed to do so. Accidents do happen occasionally, but I don’t think that firework factories in other countries go boom with the same frequency as ours. But after years of similar events, our politicians are still unable to grasp the nettle. So bang on!

Separation

The divorce debate too seems to be hotting up and, rather unusually for the Church in Malta, this venerable institution seems to be as divided as the nation is on the matter. I think the last time I heard so many declarations by priests and religious that challenged traditional interpretation was when Dom Mintoff exploded on the scene and had his set-to with the Church. We have come some way since then, and it is good to have an open discussion; dissenting views are part of any vigorous discussion. Let us hope that the discussion remains open and civilised so that when, and if, we come to make our choice, it will be an informed one.

A covenant

If I may contribute my mite with respect to those who see things differently, I believe that marriage is more than a contract. I believe the word contract trivialises such an important cornerstone of society. It comes straight from the vocabulary of the market. It implies mistrust. Where there is full and complete trust one does not bother with contracts, which is why they proliferate in the world of business. A marriage is more of a covenant that implies trust. Contracts engage the services of people; covenants engage people. Contracts are made for a stipulated period of time; covenants are forever. Contracts can be broken with material loss to the contracting parties; covenants cannot be broken, but if violated, they result in personal loss and broken hearts.

A covenant is a matter of faith in the opposite party and one that involves a deeper, more personal commitment than that implied by a contract. Additionally, a covenant seems to be an agreement to abide by a higher set of relational values that already exist.

A contract outlines legitimate ways to part company, while a covenant specifies the ingredients that will preserve an enduring relationship. It is this that society needs to rediscover. Sadly, it will not make the shattered remains whole again. But it will be a start.