Maltese European Commissioner Helena Dalli was in the international news for the wrong reasons these past few days.

Her office came up with the idea of eliminating the use of the word “Christmas” in official greetings, going as far as to suggest that when names are to be used as examples in European Union documents, Christian names such as Joseph and Mary are to be avoided.

The idea, according to Dalli’s office, was to show the European Union’s diversity and showcase the “inclusive nature of the European Commission”. But, in so doing, the Christian basis of Europe, that which after all formed the foundation of the continent’s values, was left out.

So much controversy followed the publication of the document – which was meant to be internal, but was immediately leaked to an Italian newspaper – that it ended up being withdrawn quickly. Dalli later said that it had failed to reach its purpose and did not meet the required standards. In other words, Dalli admitted she had messed up big time.

Dalli found out that working in Europe is different than working in Malta. In Europe, if something is wrong, it remains wrong and will need to be retracted. Unlike what happens in Malta, where the government has continuously ridden roughshod and ploughs on indiscriminately, even when it is told to do otherwise by the experts.

If this kind of document had been presented in Malta by the government, it would have found a way to retain it in spite of protests and complaints. In Europe, it does not happen that way.

It is probable that Dalli received some calls and emails from those higher above to force her to retract the document. She had no other choice but to do it. Malta’s name was, unfortunately once again, linked to something horrible.

In describing what Dalli had in mind, Pope Francis went as far as describing it as an “anachronism”, not much unlike that which was tried by dictatorships such as that of Nazi Germany. It’s not a lovely label for Helena Dalli.

Earlier, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, had sharply criticised the document, saying that such an initiative was an attempt to cancel “our roots, the Christian dimension of our Europe, especially with regard to Christian festivals”.

The document was shot down by all sides of the political landscape. Former President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani said “inclusion does not mean denying the Christian roots” of the EU while his political opponent, former Italian PM Matteo Renzi, described it as “absurd”.

Just as much as Christians should respect feasts and celebrations that other religions follow, members of other religions should respect the feasts and celebrations that Christians have been observing for centuries.

Inclusivity should not mean excluding others, as Dalli’s document tried to do. By “eliminating” Christmas from the European Union’s vocabulary, Dalli’s document was not including others; it was excluding Christians.

Christmas will remain Christmas, and will not be called by any other name.