Shameful behaviour at Nadur carnival infuriates Gozo Bishop
Says society is living under 'the dictatorship of relativism'
Bishop Mario Grech has condemned the "rude and offensive" behaviour during this year's carnival celebrations in Nadur.
Speaking during a ceremony at the Gozo cathedral on Ash Wednesday, he said it was shameful that some people paraded themselves dressed up as the Risen Christ and others impersonated Christ surrounded by the Apostles.
It was shameful how several people, through their behaviour, undermined public decency and human dignity, revealing the irrationality that was so evident in today's times. Had those involved considered their actions, he said, they would not have behaved in such a degrading manner and would have shown more respect to society.
Such incidents demonstrated that society was living under "the dictatorship of relativism" where people believed they were free from all legal or ethical boundaries and could do and say what they wanted, even when this offended or hurt others. This led to people ridiculing not only matters that were sacred but their own human dignity.
Lent was an opportunity for all to reflect on God's teaching and seek conversion, Mgr Cremona said.
In another ceremony held on the same occasion at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta, Archbishop Paul Cremona urged the people to follow the Apostles' actions during Pentecost, as found in the Acts of the Apostles.
The account mentioned two walks made by the apostles. The first was when they left their safe house and followed Christ, just as the gathering at the co-cathedral had done to attend the ceremony. The second, Mgr Cremona said, was more profound. This was the path to enlightenment they walked inside themselves. This was what everyone should seek during Lent.