Why are we so adept at making a mess of things. Why do we always have appear in the eye of the international press (viz. the world) in a negative way – eg the sale of passports and now the Vatican experience? Are we to constantly promote our slogan “only in Malta.com” or “Malta tal-Mickey Mouse” (acknowledgements John Bundy)?

So our Honourable Peaker (sorry Speaker) hit the headlines once again this week – not the local headlines alone, but the international headlines, with his mobile phone being relayed across the world, courtesy of Reuters. Mr. Speaker seems to have taken a leaf out of the Law Commissioner’s book (Franco Debono of course, who else) and not placed any limits on the use of his own mobile phone. He was not always the most discreet and polite of gentlemen, particularly when he was a leading member of the Police brigade in the bad old days, but I would have expected him to be groomed at this point in his life; to be taught all about protocol. Since he spends so much time abroad, taking every imaginable opportunity for a visit here and a visit there, as well as receiving more dignatories than all the Cabinet of Ministers put together, his protocol manners have to be sharpened up. If they were then they would have saved the day in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. A dignatory in line to greet the Pope and just a few, short feet ahead of him just does not use a mobile phone. He said he was calling his secretary to round up the delegation and arrange a meeting point after the massive crowd dispersed. But he should have done this before. Surely they all had dinner together the night before; or did they?

Ours was a funny delegation. Conspicuous by their absence were the Lady President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. This was probably the most unique canonisation in history, or, at least, in our lifetime.   So what kept them back? The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition gave no excuse for not attending. Presumably it would have been the Sunday morning political activity; but there were none save for an internal announcement of administrative committees’ candidates by the PN, which could have easily have been left to one the Deputy Leaders.  However, the latter sent his Deputy Leader in his stead, which is the proper procedure. The Prime Minister sent his wife.

What’s all this about? Why didn’t the President send her husband? It would have been perfectly in order for the wife to accompany the Prime Minister. Normal practice .And I have no problem with the wives (or husbands now) of Presidents or Prime Ministers being involved in activities related to their husband’s/wive’s office (Community Chest Fund best example). But this takes the cake.  Mrs. Muscat does not represent the Government and people of Malta. Where was the Deputy Prime Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs? So, in effect the people of Malta and Gozo as a whole were not represented at the canonisation. Mr. Speaker does not represent the executive Government or the people of Malta, and, in fact, I do not recall an occasion, few and far between, where a Speaker formed part of an official delegation at a papal inauguration or a canonisation. The Prime Minister’s wife had no right to be in the retinue to greet the Pope. And yet, the only person who does represent the people of Malta, Beppe Fenech Adami, was nowhere to be seen (in the mobile phone photograph, of course).Did he purposely keep a discreet distance away from the funny delegation?

As for the President’s excuse for not attending the canonisation, this is hard to fathom. The same goes for the absence of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. To my knowledge there are two daily flights from Rome to Malta. And may I ask whether there was a charter in place for so many Maltese who wished to attend? Further, I have been given to understand that there were pilgrims who returned on Sunday evening. And please note that the flying time between Rome and Malta is approximately of one hour’s duration. Further, convenient connecting flights could have been found perhaps. And what’s more, President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Speaker (who would probably want to go anyway) could have easily hopped onto a private jet and left Rome immediately after the ceremony. Probably would have been home in time for a late lunch and might even have had a nice, little party on board. This has happened on a number of occasions over the years, when important overseas meetings required it. And surely this auspicious occasion did.