Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/994982
19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 JUNE 2018 I was surprised that my friend Sav- iour Balzan (10 June, 2018) could not choose another subject for his edito- rial 'The Priority List'. He has always treated my letters with respect and I am sure that both missives will raise a few eyebrows after the publication of both letters. This is because, unwittingly, I am revisiting the Church-State dispute of the 60s. Without entering into the merits whether the punitive sanctions imposed on the Labour Party support- ers were the right ones or not, isn't it a fact that the Archbishop's words at the time were prophetic? Pastoral letter 25.1.62: How could you, who call yourself Catholics, elect for Parliament people with anti-Catho- lic principles, anti-clerical and socialist sentiments, people who, in their elec- toral programme showed us that they intend to go against the laws of the Church and Catholic principles? March 1966: Behave like real Catho- lics when casting your vote; do not forget the great responsibility you carry. Do not be indifferent to the present situation. Nobody can remain neutral and not vote for the candidate's religion and the Church. Therefore seek that you choose for Parliament and Government people endowed with a sincere purpose who, while striv- ing to seek real temporal welfare, also treasure the religious heritage of our forefathers. The 61,000 soldiers of steel who de- fied all the above recommendations naturally abandoned the Church's teachings throughout the subsequent years and their siblings were raised in an irreligious or non-religious home and willingly fell out of the ranks like those having a very weak commitment to their boyhood religion. Over time, the present generation has become increasingly detached from their scant religious culture. Then followed an apparent lull and peace, sufficient for Pope Benedict XVI to say when he visited Malta: Here in Malta, you live in a society that is steeped in Christian faith and values. You should be proud that your country both defends the unborn and promotes stable family life by saying no to abor- tion and divorce. I urge you to maintain this courageous witness to the sanctity of life and the centrality of marriage and family life for a healthy society. This scenario is surely no longer relevant to present day Malta and within a few years, our MPs neglected once again their appreciation of the moral and human values sustaining our Christian heritage dating back two millennia, and never gave morality de- rived from religion the chance to shape our laws. Certainly, the introduction of divorce, MAP, same-sex marriage, etc have had their toll through such a conspicuous and drastic change. People living in that moral environment of old may now feel they are an endangered species. This is the atmosphere Mgr Charles Scicluna found himself in. How could he remain silent with all these disturb- ing, looser morals all around us? He did not find a fertile religious and moral ground but patches full of thorns and weeds! What else could he do? "For there will come a time (the time is now) when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will keep up to themselves teachers ac- cording to their lists, and they will turn away their hearing from the truth and turn aside rather to fables. But do thou be watchful in all things. Bear tribula- tion patiently, work as a preacher of the gospel, fulfil thy ministry." (Timothy 2-4: 3-5). And that's what he is doing. I have the nagging feeling that Mr Balzan will agree with me, with some reservations perhaps. John Azzopardi Zabbar Archbishop Scicluna and Malta's religious heritage A lack of respect for cyclists Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications LAST week we paid our respects to a fel- low cyclist who lost his life due to, more than anything, a lack of respect. A lack of respect from the govern- ment, planning authorities and TM who prioritise cars and traffic flow above human life. Whilst the rest of Europe is moving towards alternative transport – cycling, pedestrian-friendly roads and efficient public transport – we're obsessed with widening roads, adding lanes and building bypasses. Over time, this just leads to more traffic, congested roads and frustrated drivers which in turn leads to more danger. The other lack of respect comes from certain drivers. All that is needed to save a life sometimes is a tiny bit of patience, a bit of consideration, just enough re- spect to wait those few extra seconds to ensure that a fellow human, a fellow father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister can get where they're going in one piece. Is it so much to ask? A cyclist is not an inconvenience. A cyclist is a person, trying to get from A to B just like everyone else. Let's show some respect. Rest in peace, Zoran Pavlocic, and condolences to those he left behind. Leo Busuttil St Julian's Member of Bicycle Advocacy Group Malta