Church ‘leadership crisis’ debate rages on

Malta Independent
August 20, 2014

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-08-20/news/church-leadership-crisis-debate-rages-on-6272778240/

More voices are calling for “a shakeup” of the Maltese Church’s top levels to rid the Curia of its “leadership crisis.”

The debate was sparked by former Mgarr Parish Priest Fr Emanuel Camilleri, who was unceremoniously dismissed by the curia. Speaking to The Malta Independent last week, Fr Camilleri accused Archbishop Paul Cremona and Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna of bowing in to pressure. He was the first to claim that the church is gripped by a leadership crisis.

Fr Camilleri’s comments this week echoed by Fr Joe Borg his regular column on The Times. He compared the current “leadership crisis” to the state the PN was in after losing the 1976 election.

But in comments to the same newspaper today, Victor Axiak, the head of the Church Environment Commission, disagreed with Fr Borg and said that those clamouring for change and seeking the “crucifixion” of Archbishop Cremona, want the Church to move closer to the Nationalist Party. “It (the Church) will not be rendered vibrant and kicking if it resumes its ‘local mission’ of religio et patria and of allowing itself to be pulled one way or the other to the tune of some political group. Paul Cremona is being crucified because he does not want to play this dirty game.”

On the other hand, theologian Fr Rene Camilleri told The Times that the unrest within the church “had been long coming.” He also claimed that a report proposing reforms in the Curia was shelved after it was handed to the Archbishop last week.

In comments to Malta Today, sociologist Fr Joe Inguanez said the church is at a standstill and its institutional leadership needs a shakeup.

“I honestly feel that the Maltese Church is at a standstill. This is always dangerous but more so in times of the rapid change we are experiencing at both the ecclesiastical and social sphere. One cannot stop the boat in a flowing river. Critical decisions have to be taken urgently. However, blood-letting is not a solution. ”

Fr Inguanez insisted that inaction becomes negative action and “the Church leadership cannot leave us wanting any more.”