Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1062629
17 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 DECEMBER 2018 INTERVIEW 'apart' from its sister diocese. How much of an issue do you think insularity is for the Gozo diocese today? First of all, although we are isolated – we are an island, af- ter all – I would say that, with the grace of God, Gozitan so- ciety is today more open than ever. The Church played a large part in this, too. It might not be evident to everyone, but in reality, the Gozo Church also has a universal dimension to it. It is an open Church. For example, in our history, we have founded two religious orders: the Franciscans, and the Dominican sisters. These institutions originated in Go- zo; but today, they are part of international network. Their reach is global. Not to men- tion Gozitan missionaries, both lay and religious, who are also in contact with the wider world. And as in the case of immigrants: when immigrants come here, they tend to com- municate something of our culture back to their home- land. Our emigrants, too, send back messages. They add a globalised dimension to our Church. Naturally, it doesn't mean that everything is per- fect; but this openness is not a factor I would exclude, or minimise in importance. Turning to more specific issues: we ran a Vox-pop in the streets of Victoria, asking for popular assessments of Mgr Mario Grech. Some refused to comment, many were either positive or non-committal in their responses… but two viewpoints stand out from the rest. One is the criticism that you are not 'confrontational' enough, given the problems and challenges faced by the Church today. And the other was a young man's open accusation that you are homophobic, or 'have a problem' with gay people. How do you respond to this sort of criticism? Personally, I think confron- tation does no good to any- one, because it breaks down communication. If you're not communicating… what's the point? I also believe that you have try and understand the viewpoint of others. I have my own convictions and beliefs; but if I'm to communicate them to others, I have to be able to see things from their perspective. And as I men- tioned earlier, I am also a firm believer that everything needs to be given its due time. But how would you react to an atheist, for instance… who rejects the existence of God, and therefore the very raison d'etre of your entire mission? First of all, the most enjoya- ble discussions I have ever had have always been with people who identify themselves as atheists. To me, that is a chal- lenge: it helps me sharpen my own faith. At the same time, however: even though they say they are atheists, I believe that in the heart of each human be- ing, there is a spark, or seed of belief. Yet a growing number of people do call themselves atheists. What would you say is the likeliest cause of loss of faith in God? Personal experience, or logical deduction? Personal experience defi- nitely plays a part. I myself am often amazed how some people manage to keep be- lieving, even after passing through dark periods in their life. But there is also logic and structured thinking behind atheism, based on philoso- phy. It is certainly not some- thing I would discard out of hand. But having said that: I also sincerely feel that would someone make a bigger ef- fort to prove to me that God doesn't exist, than I would prove that He does. Have you ever convinced a declared atheist to return to the fold? I don't try to convince. I pre- fer having a dialogue with that person, in the hope that we will both be enriched. Because even atheists have values. And if there is a common basis that we can both share – fun- damental human values – I would say we would both be much closer to the Infinite. What about the accusation of homophobia? It was directed in part at Catholic teaching about sexuality in general; but also, perhaps, to some degree at you personally… I wouldn't say that's correct. If that person knew me from years ago… well, I admit that I had certain positions and convictions in the past. Today, I have changed. And I don't mean 'me' as in 'Mario'… in this respect, I am also reflecting the teachings of the Church. Our approach to all people, as a Church, has also evolved. What is the Church's position on homosexuality today? The position is only one; that hasn't changed. But we now depart from the fact that, if a person is looking for God – whatever the situation: wheth- er they are in homosexual or heterosexual relationships; married or outside marriage; in their first or second mar- riage… because it is true that, in the past, the issue of sexu- ality used to prevent us from speaking to people. It was a barrier. But at the same time, sexuality is only one dimen- sion of a man's life. Even I, who am celibate, have to come to terms with it on a daily ba- sis. But it shouldn't be an ob- stacle in the search for God. So, if someone comes to me, asking me for help to discover Jesus Christ… he or she could be homosexual, and even in a homosexual relationship. It doesn't matter. I will not im- pede that person; on the con- trary I would help. The last thing I would do is take up a position against that person. But the question remains: is homosexuality still a sin? Having the Church's teachings about sexuality changed, along with its approach? To give an example of the Church's earlier approach: be- fore, we would say: 'put your life in order first, and then we'll begin the journey towards God'. Today, on the other hand, we would say: 'Let us approach Jesus Christ… and Christ will help us put our lives in order.' Now: this 'order' might be good for me, but not good for you. And we cannot presume to dic- tate the order for everyone… That, in itself, is a major departure from the Catholic Church some of us remember from three or four decades ago. Back then, everything was either 'black' or 'white'. Are we to understand that 'black' and 'white' no longer exist? 'Black' and 'white' still exist; but the grey area in-between has grown. It is in the grey are- as that we must search. That's why I said that I am wary of those priests, or Christians, who feel they already know all the answers. No one can make that claim. We all have to con- tinue searching. Infinite If we do not take note of these changes, if we choose to remain 'the Church of yesterday'… we will end up being neither relevant to society, nor even fulf illing our mission as a Church PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BIANCHI