Preca's language

A seminar held by the Fondazzjoni Mikiel Anton Vassalli discussed Dun Gorg Preca's 'use of the Maltese language in his mission and the effect it had on the present':

Malta Labour Party leader Dr Alfred Sant called Dun Gorg the first Maltese Methodist because he broke away from the rituals and norms of the Church of the time by entrusting the teaching of catechism to working class laymen. A century later, he gained the endorsement of the Vatican where he will be canonised in June.

Dun Gorg Preca’s life work was discussed yesterday from a different perspective as academics and the Mikiel Anton Vassalli Foundation reviewed his contribution to society and the Maltese language. The seminar entitled “Dun Gorg: The teaching of Maltese and the present”, dealt with Dun Gorg’s use of the Maltese language in his mission and the effect it had on the present.

Dr Sant said that although Dun Gorg was a mystic he was also a communicator. One cannot say he was an ascetic, as he was a down-to-earth person who could interact with society. Dr Sant drew a comparison between Manuel Dimech and Dun Gorg. Both focused their work on the working class and started teaching in Maltese. “Dun Gorg was by no means a follower of Dimech,” said Dr Sant, adding that Dun Gorg was a radical, both in his mysticism and in his determination to entrust the teaching of catechism to working class laymen, which at the time was done solely by priests.

Frans Sammut, author and teacher, spoke about Maltese society a century ago when the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM) was set up by Dun Gorg. At the time, the Church was very suspicious of the young priest’s initiative to teach working class people. In a society marred by social divisions and the ongoing struggle over which language should be adopted as Malta’s national language, Dun Gorg succeeded in founding a society made up of working class laymen who taught catechism to working class people. “At the time, it was scandalous,” said Mr Sammut, “yet today it is seen as the norm.”..

MUSEUM member and teacher Joseph Buttigieg said it is very ironic that people are celebrating a man who wanted to be buried in an unmarked grave and be forgotten forever. Yet Malta cannot ignore a man who was its great benefactor in his role as an innovator, a leader and an educator. Dun Gorg, asserted Mr Buttigieg, was a great believer in the democratisation of education; it was he after all who said that “learning is the fount from which all goodness flows”. Mr Buttigieg said Dun Gorg chose the Maltese language to reach all people, because as Mgr Pietru Pawl Saydon said:“Dun Gorg’s sermons have no frills.”...