Aug 04 - SHSG “Concerned” By Mayor’s Actions
The Secular Humanist Society of Gibraltar (SHSG) says it notes “with dismay” the use of the Mayor's Office to launch a fund to make a presentation to the Right Reverend Carmelo Zammitt on his installation as Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar.
The group points out that Rev. Zammitt has only been appointed as Bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Gibraltar, not the community as a whole, which is whom the Office of Mayor is meant to represent. The group adds that, as far as it is aware, Mr Canepa has never launched any such collection for leaders of any other religious or community group and by doing so now may be open to accusations of showing official favour to one particular religion.
The SHSG says that whilst Mr Canepa as an individual is unquestionably free to favour whom he pleases, the Office of Mayor “needs to be beyond any reproach.”
A statement continued: “The SHSG is therefore, respectfully concerned that the Mayor’s actions may be perceived as an inappropriate use of that Office. In the same way as the Office of The Mayor must remain apolitical, it must also remain neutral with regards to matters of religion, neither discriminating against nor favouring any particular one. The SHSG adamantly defends the right to freedom of conscience, of expression and of belief for all, yet it must unequivocally also raise critical concern on a matter which touches upon the exercise of official, constitutional and democratic matters.
“Whilst the SHSG accepts that Mr Canepa is free to organise a collection in his personal capacity, it is our view that The Mayor should perhaps reconsider his currrent actions to avoid even the remotest possibility of compromising his Office and thus protect the necessary neutrality and impartiality required of such a representative role.”
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