Letters to the editor – March 2, 2026

The French justice

Michael Vella of Sliema writes:

The French courts have given our authorities a lesson how to take immediate action against other nationals who abuse the law in France. 

Constitutional court in France. Photo: Shutterstock.com

It is a pity that it had to be three of our co-nationals who were immediately fined and expelled from France but this should be an eye-opener for our courts that abusing the law in our country will be dealt with immediately and not by being soft when handing down sentences involving any form of lawbreaking irrespective of the culprits’ country of origin.

Everyone is welcome to our island but the rule of law is to be respected.

‘Shall be as a sign for all’

Joe Zammit Ciantar of Santa Luċija writes:

This is a verse from a song – from several – we used to sing, both while marching or while sitting around a bonfire, in the Salesian Boy Scouts and the Victoria Boy Scouts, in Victoria Gozo, in the 1950s. 

I used to enjoy singing but I liked this song more than others. 

I do not know why.

I do not remember the title of the song; all I remember is another verse – the one preceding the verse in the title, “Malta’s cross with eight-point form…”, that is all.

In my life, I have encountered many people who used to emphasise that Malta’s cross – reproduced on the obverse of our two-euro coin – has eight points because it was used by the Knights to represent the eight Langues of the Order.

However, initially, the Order of St John, of Malta, consisted of only seven langues: Provence, Auvergne, France, Italy, Aragon (Navarre), England (with Scotland and Ireland), and Germany. An eighth Langue was added when, in 1462, Castille and Portugal split off from the Langue of Aragon.

The eight-pointed Maltese Cross – adopted in 1126 – symbolises the Knights’ dedication to service, faith, and virtue. It represents the eight beatitudes – which we may read in the gospel extract from Matthew 5:3–12 – embodying values like truth, mercy and justice.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.