There is an odd phenomenon occurring at Tal-Ibrag parish church. During Masses in Maltese, many hymns are led and sung in English. This causes confusion among the congregation. And is anyway a confusion of languages, nationality and our identity as an independent country.

During Mass in English at 12.15pm there are no hymns in Maltese, only in English.

Why this dichotomy, and neo- and auto-colonialism in our Maltese churches?

When Mass used to be said in Latin, hymns were in Latin or Maltese, with only colonialist religious orders in English.

Malta is an independent country, and does not need to pander to the whims of our neo-colonialists.

So Masses in Maltese should be accompanied by hymns in Maltese without exception.

Bernard Vassallo

Swieqi