We are all Karl Gouder

We find ourselves in surreal times. We Maltese say that we are the best in the world in the best of times – L-Aqwa fid-Dinja fl-Aqwa Żmien.  We take pride in our progress and yet few have the courage to utter the seven-letter word starting with "s" describing the death of Karl Gouder, former Nationalist MP, ex-mayor of San Ġiljan, and candidate for the esteemed position of general secretary of the same political party.

If Daphne Caruana Galizia were around, she would immediately clarify how, why, and what transpired to him, without concern for privacy.  That was her journalistic style, whether you agreed with it or not. She believed that once someone holds a prominent position, they cannot expect their private matters to remain confidential. Some may concur, others may not. But Malta is small, and many are aware of how Karl died, and perhaps why.

In the early days following his death, the family themselves sought answers about what might have driven Karl to do what he did.  Then, an eerie silence fell after Fr. Joe Borg's appeal to stop gossiping about  Karl Gouder's death under the guise of respecting the deceased and their family.  Although he is partly right, people secretly continued to ask questions, for Borg’s appeal only heightened curiosity.  Many began to believe there was indeed more to the story but did not have the guts to say it, not even on the notoriously social media channels who usually thrive on gossip or what Fr Joe called ‘’zekzik’’.

During the celebration of life—a clichéd alternative to a funeral that often obscures the truth—Fr. Claude Portelli, the parish priest of San Ġiljan, finally hinted at the circumstances surrounding Karl's death. The priest’s gestures and personal revelations suggested he shared a close bond with Karl, indicating he was genuinely affected. In front of numerous politicians, including the President of the Republic of Malta and Labour Prime Minister Robert Abela with his wife, Fr. Claude emphasized the need to protect politicians from vicious threats. Then he stopped abruptly. 

For Fr Claude, this was probably one of the most challenging funeral sermons. He deserves some praise for that.   But Fr. Claude must also be aware that earlier this month on the 1^st of September, in the Sunday Gospel, Jesus stated:

 “Listen to me, all of you, and understand me! … For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person (Mark 7,21-23)

Perhaps Jesus included mental health with folly. Yet, it is from the Word of God, we understand the reasons behind any tragic departure from this world. The parish priest of San Ġiljan wisely chose not to delve deeply into the twelve harmful thoughts emerging from the human heart that lead to tragedies. It was not the time for that and he craftily avoided it.   Yet, Fr Claude is mistaken by hinting that the fault lies only with the governing politicians who neglect to protect their vulnerable peers. If you are vulnerable, perhaps politics isn’t for you. The failure also extends to the clergy, who no longer  call sin a sin out of fear of becoming irrelevant and appease all kind of bad policies done by politicians. 

The final whitewashing  was done at the end of the funeral with Frank Sinatra's 1969 song "My Way.’’ For any Christian knows that alone, one cannot  save  his life doing it "his way" indulging in his sins.   Man needs a Redeemer to atone for his sins, who searches for him when he is lost like the lost Drachma coin that resembles souls dreadfully feeling lost in this world abandoned by God and humankind alike.  This redemption is done by calling sin a sin and not taking PRIDE in what caused that Drachma coin to become lost in the first place. 

The Word of God will help us read our lives for it exposes us bare and shows to us what otherwise we try to escape from.  On the day of Karl’s death, September 10^th, there was a weird coincidence.  I’m not referring to World Suicide Prevention Day  but to the reading of the daily Catholic Mass taken from the first letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians:

 “Injustice is done by yourselves, and you deceive others, and this to your brothers! Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor swindlers, nor revilers, nor kidnappers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And of these were some of you! But now you have been cleansed, sanctified and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor 6:10-11)

Here, too, is a clear list similar to Jesus’s list found in Mark 7.  St Paul is just more straightforward by hitting hard against sinners and not just sin.

Maltese society is sick, very sick.  This is why as a Maltese society, we all share Karl Gouder’s tragedy and the Lord will take account of our failures for His Mercy presumes His wrath.  His Divine ways are not our ways or any ‘’My May’’ sung as beautifully as you wish.   May Karl’s soul rest in peace.