I was asked by a friend to reflect on my NHS chaplaincy experience and to try and draw conclusions that would be of interest to Malta. I initially thought that the Maltese would not be interested in an isolated event in the NHS. However, on request, I sent the story to the Maltese press, and was overwhelmed by over 300 comments on line under the article, almost all supportive of the position I took.

There was something of a release of pent up anxiety in many of the comments that went beyond the story. It seems that the subtext of the comments was that something very deep and personal was being threatened and somehow my story triggered their responses. Although few mentioned it specifically, to me it spoke of a hidden spiritual distress. But what was the cause of this and how did my story touch upon it?

To give a little background, prior to becoming a chaplain at Springfield Hospital in London, I had worked in the NHS for twenty years, most recently as a consultant and professor of clinical neuroscience. After I retired I felt a call to the priesthood and by the grace of God was ordained in 2019. I became a chaplain in Springfield Psychiatric Hospital shortly after I was ordained. Although it was not an easy environment, I warmed to my chaplaincy role, as I saw how much in need the patients were and how rewarding it was to even help a little.

After working for only four months, I was told that a Catholic patient wanted advice from a Catholic priest. He asked if we could walk outside and a member of staff accompanied us. We discussed his situation on the ward and his family. He said he wanted to marry his male partner and asked what I thought of this. I asked him in turn what God would think about this, to which he did not reply. He also said his father was upset about his lifestyle. I said I probably would be too in his father’s situation and encouraged him to speak to him. He mentioned his mother to whom he was close. After about 20 minutes he ended the session without appearing upset.

When I first received the news that I was not to visit this patient’s ward because of a complaint from him, I thought that this may have been a misunderstanding that would be quickly settled. It was when I was given a copy of a letter from the Chief Executive of the hospital to the patient that I realised the depth of the problem. She stated, without equivocation, that she would “ensure that I understand the Trust policy on Equality and Diversity … takes precedence over religious beliefs”. To see in black and white that deeply held beliefs, that have been taught for thousands of years, are not on a par with an NHS Trust policy, was shocking. This was the Chief Executives’ belief and presumably reflected the official stance of the Trust.

How could they have arrived at a situation where they believed that their conclusions were above all religions, the law of the land and Biblical teaching? Did they not see how far out on a limb they were from the truth? 

I wondered if it was credible that a Catholic asking to speak a Catholic chaplain about homosexual marriage would be surprised or upset at the answer I gave. Unless of course this was a set-up and that someone wanted some ammunition to get rid of me because I was a Catholic chaplain and therefore by definition, would not agree to homosexual marriage.

The anxiety and spiritual distress that came out in many of the comments shows that the same thing is happening in Malta. Religion reflects our deeply held beliefs that many hold back from showing openly. Yet, we feel very threatened if they are attacked. The similar nature of comments about my story in Malta and in the UK shows to me that the many Maltese feel that their religious values are being threatened.

The principal link with my story is the attack on marriage. Maltese society has changed very quickly. Evidence shows that once widespread contraception use starts in a country, abortion is not far behind and this is on the point of being legalised in Malta. My story shows that an attack on Catholic marriage is inherent within the gay movement. For Catholics, marriage is more than a partnership and is between heterosexuals. Malta is now considered to be gay friendly and in this, rated top in the world. Gay pride marches in Malta and in Gozo that openly flaunt a disrespect to Catholic beliefs is found by some to be intimidating.

What is to be done? One thing that the Springfield case has taught me is that we Catholics have to learn to stand up to discrimination or intimidation against our faith. We should use the law to defend our religious truths. Our Lord said: be as wise as serpents. Meekness has its time and place but if your preciously held beliefs and morality are being destroyed around you, it is time for action not meekness. Our religion is based on law, the Ten Commandments, and laws are there to establish truth and to correct wrongs, so we make use of the law.

Why, for example, are abortion pills being used in Malta with the Abortion Support Network openly encouraging women to purchase these pills when abortion is against the law? Shouldn’t Catholics be challenging this?

Despite claiming to be against abortion, the government presented a bill leading to its introduction by stealth. Abortion would change Malta’s society profoundly. It is essential that there is a change in government to one that respects the truth of Catholic doctrines and is pro-life. It is crucial that Catholics voters insist that their politicians respect their pro-life convictions.

In this sacred time, through fasting and prayer, we should meditate on Christ’s passion. God is the source of hope and He will show us the way through the confused web that is threatening our family life.