A statement has been issued in response to the controversial video which surfaced yesterday of a priest, Provost Paul Vella, who delivered a special homily for the Sant’ Elena feast in which he appeared to attack Malta’s LGBT+ community.

The video caused mass outrage across the Maltese Islands, prompting several comments online. Now, an official response from Rev. Dr. Nicholas J. Doublet, Chancellor of Sant’ Elena’s Church, Birkirkara, has been issued.

In his reply, Dr. Doublet regrets the way the media “twisted our words”, denying that Vella said anything against gay people and points out that “nowhere in the homily were gays or same-sex couples mentioned”.

He went on to clarify Vella’s position of marriage which was “the way God created it… between a man and a woman”,  and that this position was after all “what the Church teaches about marriage”.

You can read the full statement below:

We regret to see sections of the media twist our words and the sense of what Mons. Prepostu Arċipriet Paul Carmel Vella in a way that they say precisely the opposite of what he said in the Sant’ Elena feast.

Nowhere in the homily were gays or same-sex couples mentioned. It’s not true that Mons. Prepostu said anything against these people.

What Mons. Vella said was that marriage the way God created it is between a man and a woman. This is what the Church teaches about marriage.

We reiterate respect and value towards every single person, no matter who they are. It’s this that guides the Church’s pastoral work.

Rev. Dr Nicholas J. Doublet,
Chancellor
Collegiate Chapter,
Sant’ Elena, Birkirkara

What do you make of this statement? Let us know in the comments below

WATCH NEXT: From Martyrs To Marauding Gay People, Here’s The Entire Insane Rant By *That* Provost During The Birkirkara Festa