There is no more intimate relationship for an average Maltese than what transpires between state and church. Simply to pose the question raises eyebrows and incredulity. Roman Catholicism is Malta's constitutional religion. It has been thus over many centuries, this pervasive power of the church and its Episcopal hierarchy, to exert strong influence over the morality of parishioners.
As in other emerging Christian nations, the church was not only the source of power entrenched within the ruling elite, but it also provided the center of learning at a time when medieval Europe was starting to emerge from its state of ignorance into the years of enlightenment known as the Renaissance, a period of 300 years between the Middle Ages and modern times. It swept away customs and institutions that had dominated Europe for almost a thousand years. The new ideas and attitudes that grew still influence our lives. In retrospect it was the beginning of secularization of a world previously run by religious dogma and edicts.
So it is, the same pattern driven by like forces is now emerging in Malta, albeit of different degree and duration. While most other countries thrive under a distinct demarcation of state and church powers , Malta holds on firmly to its Catholic doctrine. This tenacity of faith towards the holy mother church reflects Malta's legal and moral prohibition against divorce and abortion, with its continued insistence on retaining Catholicism as a state religion. Nowhere are the civil and religious institutions more tightly entwined in Maltese society than on matters of marriage, separation and annulment.
While ample provisions for people of different faith and conviction are contained within the Marriage Act, the Catholic sacrament of religion is legally binding. Those who elect to wed in church are regulated through canonical law. The arrangement grants the church tribunal power, which though not sole, is normally vested in civil litigation dictating family life. Other than the Vatican, no other Catholic nation has enacted such an unusual legal provision. Its passage came about as an act of political expediency by Malta's National Party when it abrogated its responsibility to deal with controversial, unpopular, hard core family issues. What impact, if any, this legislation will have on Malta's request for membership within the European Union remains to be seen.
In Malta the inevitable shift in public postures is slowing catching up with other Western states and their carefree lifestyles. No longer can Malta live in splendid isolation protected so to speak by a moat of water. Already there is fear from those on the left of the political spectrum against sacrificing Malta's Catholic heritage and close association with the church, as a costly price of admission within the EU. The point is well made. A central EU authority might impose legislation which would weaken or replace in whole the teaching of Catholic catechism in public schools. Their opponents have reasonably argued that the sacrifice is worth the price for Malta to integrate with Europe.
Aside from hot political considerations, Catholicism in Malta has lost considerable ground in its long struggle with creeping secularism, at an escalating rate since WWII. The general permissiveness and uncaring attitudes of many faithful create major setbacks for a frustrated ecclesiastical authority. Instant gratification for today's creature comforts has replaced fear of tomorrow. In an age of interstellar exploration people have become ever more cynical with apparitions, miracles and the apocalypse. Such seemingly practical reality, ever more than repercussive fears from Malta's union with big brother, is the core reason why religious institutions in Malta are threatened. An inevitable consequence is a lesser felt need for an organization whose "all wise & knowing" clergy has for countless centuries held absolute power of conviction over its pastoral herd.
The question is no longer whether the church could or should hold on to its historic pre-eminent role within a transitional Maltese society. Its diminished role is universally acknowledged. What is at stake is Malta's future in a rapidly changing world. The island and its inhabitants have precious little to say towards influencing the final outcome. More likely than not, the Maltese who love and honor their church, will of necessity allow their spiritual identity to make way for outside pressure more attuned to secular liberalism. No other feasible option exists for a contemporary small society anxious to reclaim its rightful place within mother Europe. The change in direction should be viewed as an accommodation rather than abandonment or disavowal of Malta's rich Catholic identity.
In the final equation Malta clearly cannot have it both ways. Its people face a give and take proposition, a game of move and countermove , between David and Goliath. It is a contest where mass or the lack thereof is an overriding consideration. With God's grace and guidance Malta will decide its own long term future, in true democratic fashion. Let no one forget, Malta has experienced seemingly insurmountable odds against survival before and emerged victorious. It will be no different now. Within the emerging demographic realities, the state and church need not confront one another in adversity, even as the center of power shifts from one axis to the other. The altered relationship has prospered in other western democracies and so it will in Malta. The islanders will remain staunchly Catholic, only the rules will have changed. Being different does not necessarily make matters better or worse. Only people can reshape destiny.
On final reflection a broader lay administration for a tiny island, striving for economic survival with increased modern technology, may bode greater prosperity for Malta as it emerges into the next millennium in lock step with greater Europe. Time will tell.
E-mail to Joseph Vella: vellajoseph@msn.net
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