I find it arrogant for anyone in a European democracy like Malta to dictate in a bullying autocratic manner, and I quote “If the matter does not stop here, further rights are reserved”.  This language was used in the letter entitled “Order of St Lazarus highly respectful of church authorities” (TMIS, 9 June) in reply to my article “Rebuff to the Holy See” by the same Order that appeared on 2 June. On whose authority does Dr the Chev. J.R. Pace tell this paper not to accept any more correspondence on this matter, attempt to stifle freedom of expression and to stop readers from expressing their views on a matter of public interest?  The menacing language used is a threat to this paper and to whoever wants to add their comments. This is Malta not Iran. His blustering response to my article and his attempt to blind people with words do not work in a free society.

Dr Pace wasted a few column inches giving historical facts, which contributed nothing to the points I raised in my article. The reference he made to the Apostolic See as distinct from the Holy See is of academic interest considering that the same person i.e. His Holiness the Pope, heads both of them. My article dealt with matters that affect the faithful. After all, the Vatican 2012 declaration was issued to allay the anxieties expressed by Catholics about the use of churches and sacred places for investitures by ‘pretend orders’, which is how the Vatican described all the Equestrian Orders not recognized by the Holy See, one of which is The Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus.

Because I had legitimately criticised a Mass organised by the Gozo Commandery at Manresa Retreat House, which was followed by the presentation of Brevets, a rite which in turn leads the postulants to their investiture, Dr Pace conveniently and flippantly waves aside my criticism as “some grudge against persons in the Gozo Commandery”. As readers can see for themselves (see internet advert below), promotions and awards were awarded at Manresa following the celebration of Mass.  The Sunday before my article appeared, this paper carried an elaborate report of an investiture at St Paul’s Co-Cathedral hosted by the Grand Commandery of the Castello, the Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands and the Commandery of Gozo during which “a number of members of the Order were promoted or given awards for their service”. So it seems to me that these promotions and awards formed part of the investiture at St Paul’s Co-Cathedral in Malta but in Gozo these parts of the rituals were held at Manresa prior to the investiture in Malta.

But let’s go to the heart of the matter, these ceremonies by the Order of St Lazarus were held in a Catholic chapel and in an Anglican Co-Cathedral, both sacred places of worship, and Dr Pace as Grand Prior of the national jurisdiction of Malta allowed these events to take place. It is up to the readers to decide whether there was a “rebuff of the Holy See by the Order” or not.

In my article I did not just “seize on the Manresa activity” as Dr Pace implies. I raised the matter of the inconsistency that Catholic priests and prelates known to have been recruited by the Order, and presumably take part in an investiture and are given honours which the Holy See consider as fakes. 

I wish and hope that parish priests and rectors of sacred places are reminded and kept informed about the implications of the Holy See’s Note of Clarification regarding the Order of St Lazarus. It is pertinent for the Catholic faithful in Malta and Gozo to know who appointed the Chaplains of the organization’s branches both in Malta and in Gozo.

Dr Pace had pointedly omitted the fact that I had praised the “impressive history of philanthropy” of his organization. Recent events around the world have shown that organisations and individuals use their charitable activities as a cover for their own unacceptable agendas and the words used by Dr Pace “even supporting their charities” when referring to the local church, could be misunderstood as if the Church owes them a favour in return.

I am happy to point out that the Order of St Lazarus has nothing whatever to do with the Saint Lazarus Foundation and the two should not be confused and I thank Dr Stefan N. Vella for pointing this out.  

* This article has been written by a special correspondent who, for good reasons that have been made known to this newspaper, prefers to remain anonymous for the time being. The writer’s full personal details have been provided to this newspaper