The Archdiocese of Malta increased subsidies to its children’s homes by €180,000, despite registering an overall shortfall of €325,000.
Speaking at a press conference to present the financial report of the Archdiocese of Malta for 2023, Administrative Secretary Michael Pace Ross said the Archdiocese has been making every effort to help families and individuals seeking assistance, and various initiatives are underway aimed at furthering the Church’s mission. These include work with children and adolescents, survivors of domestic violence and other forms of abuse, migrants, and those seeking rehabilitation from substance abuse and other vices.
Mr Pace Ross said: “There was also help in kind. Through the LOOP Parish Diaconia initiative, 870 people received food supplies and 380 were the beneficiaries of clothing. Last year, the Church also opened Il-Kċina ta’ Marta at the Archbishop’s Seminary in Tal-Virtù — led by LOOP Parish Diaconia and supported by a team of dedicated volunteers and the Alfred Mizzi Foundation — which provides more than 1,200 meals a week to those in need. In addition to this, Maltese parishes received over 1,300 requests to provide individuals and families with food hampers, medicines and other necessities. Some of these requests were one-time needs, while others are ongoing.
“Caritas is another example where the Church assisted 1,678 individuals who sought outreach and rehabilitation services, besides counselling and social work services.”
Last month, the Archdiocese also donated Dar Saura in Rabat — a former residence for the elderly valued at €25 million — to The Malta Trust Foundation, which will transform the property into a music and arts centre for children with disabilities.
More than €1 million was distributed among vulnerable groups, while €7.07 million was required for the maintenance, restoration and conservation of ecclesiastical property and patrimony.
The Archdiocese of Malta also provided assistance to survivors of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, hosted foreign priests at Casa Fratelli Tutti, and facilitated the participation of 565 youths at the World Youth Day in Lisbon.
The Administrative Secretary said that although the Archdiocese of Malta registered increases in collections, it experienced decreases in donations and fundraising in 2023 compared with the previous year, while Dar tal-Providenza and Caritas relied on retained earnings after registering deficits for the year.
“Higher yields from the Archdiocese’s well-diversified and ethical investments portfolio, including a dividend from APS Bank and proceeds from the sale of property, enabled the Church to support those in need,” Mr Pace Ross said.
Expenditure for the Archdiocese — which encompasses around 120 entities and employs 1,369 staff — increased by €6.04 million in comparison to the previous year.
EU-funded projects were concluded with the launch of a heritage trail. Furthermore, the Archdiocese’s tax charge for the year amounted to €2.5 million.
During 2023, two parishes — Fleur-de-Lys and Marsa Marija Reġina — were passed on to the Archdiocese by religious orders, while Dar Saura ceased operations as a home for the elderly at the end of the year.
Mr Pace Ross said that although the financial markets were volatile, the last quarter of 2023 had been positive. The results, which were better than forecast, also include the partial reversal of a provision for impairment on investments made in 2022.
On behalf of the Bishops of Malta, Mr Pace Ross thanked employees, volunteers and the public for their support. He also appealed for donations at church.mt/donate.