I think it is about time that the Church improved its democratic credentials – not where the unchangeable laws of God and the Sacraments are concerned but in terms of how these are administered.

The Church should listen more to the people’s complaints, democratically, and truly listen to the needs of its followers.

For example, many parishioners are fed up with the unnecessarily loud summer petards let off during every village feast. Some may argue that these are traditional, but not everything that is traditional is necessarily good.

The Church should update itself to modern times and pay heed to the opinions of the majority. The government should also assume some responsibility and be concerned about people’s health and quality of life, which are being affected by such nonsensical noise, which remind many older people of the wartime bombardments they endured when they were young.

If the Church wishes to honour a Saint with a form of salute, there are other ways of doing so that could eventually become traditions in themselves.

Another complaint amongst people in this small country of ours concerns the subject of processions. The argument is that festa processions should be shortened and limited to the immediate environs of the parish church – minimising the traffic congestion and confusion created.

These are just two of many complaints people have and which, it could be argued, are contributing towards today’s lower church attendance levels. Many no longer see priests as being dedicated to the needs of the people in the sacrament of reconciliation in the way they once were – a positive tradition that should never be changed.

One should ask why so many Maltese are joining groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the like. Is it because their Roman Catholic Church is treating them like children?

M. Vella

Sliema