May the good Lord bless us all. It is good too that this newspaper has listened to and allocated prime space to interview Fr Joe Abela about the seemingly lost, or rather brushed aside, sheep (TMID, 25 October), as well as including my letter entitled “The Good Shepherd and the sheep” (TMIS, 20 September 2009).

The picture of Fr Abela unmistakably portrays a man of strong character and determination, thus obedience and patience. Appearances can be misleading, but then what’s good for the goose should also be good for the gander. From what he conveys throughout the interview, he does not only speak his mind but demonstrates how alert and well informed he is on various subjects. Certainly, a man with valid opinions.

Apparently, the Good Shepherd seems to have neglected his sheep because in this respect he has refrained from addressing this matter or investigating more fully the seeming abyss that is the Curia’s debts. It may be that the Good Shepherd simply overlooked this good advice given by this seemingly rejected sheep, which has been laid out in black and white in the interesting front-page interview.

I whole-heartedly hope the Good Shepherd would humble himself and thank the good sheep for his ideas, suggestions and above all his contribution – and that is the least he can do! As the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine.

Ray Sammut

NAXXAR