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Reading the title “Fr Peter crossed the line – the Archbishop” (MaltaToday, 1 July 2007) one might get the wrong impression that His Grace Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona O.P. actually said these words when interviewed by James Debono. However, this is not the case. The introduction of the same report states that, “Archbishop Paul Cremona thinks that the eminent philosopher and former university rector, Rev Prof Peter Serracino Inglott, had crossed the line separating religion from politics when participating in a strategy meeting of the Nationalist Party last May.” Yet, once again, Archbishop Cremona did not pronounce himself in this manner. Answering Mr Debono’s questions directly referring to Fr Peter Serracino Inglott, the Archbishop replied along universal principles “on the Universal Church”. The only direct reference Mgr Cremona made on his personal relationship with Rev Prof Serracino Inglott was that quoted in Mr Debono’s article. In fact, on Mr Debono’s insistence on mentioning Fr Peter, the Archbishop stated that there are other priests who are sometimes identified as being very close “to both principal political parties”. The Archbishop highlighted three important points in his conversation with Mr Debono. The first one referred to Canon Law (287,2) which forbids clerics to have “an active role in political parties and in the direction of labour unions unless the need to protect the rights of the Church or to promote the Common Good requires it in the judgement of the competent ecclesiastical authority”. The second was the Archbishop’s personal reflection expressed as “I think, my idea”. Mgr Cremona said: “We have to be very prudent”. “Now, if I put myself as being identified with one party, what happens? The other part, whatever I say, will identify me immediately with that political party.” So Mgr Cremona deemed it to be prudent “that I refrain from declaring myself (i.e. to be identified with one particular political party) so that I can pass on the whole message.” “It could also mean a lessening of one’s freedom” to express himself freely. The third reflection mentioned by the Archbishop was that obviously, priests can be consulted privately on their own particular competence be it theological, the common good or other grounds, by all parties. We hope this clarifies the Archbishop’s views on the role of priests in politics.
Charles Buttigieg PRO,
Archbishop’s Curia
Editorial note: The interviewer asked specifically about Father Peter Serracino Inglott’s involvement in the PN’s strategy meeting. The Archbishop replied stating the position of the universal Church prohibiting priests from direct participation in politics.
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