News

Bishops appeal for peace as Sudan’s conflict escalates

The Catholic Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan (SCBC) are pleading for an end to the horrific war tearing apart Sudan.

“The fabric of Sudanese society has been torn apart, with people shocked, traumatised, and disbelieving about the level of violence and hatred.”

Yet, there appears to be no end in sight of the escalating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)… Read more »

Carlo Acutis and 14 Blesseds approved for canonization

The College of Cardinals gathered with Pope Francis on Monday morning in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace for an Ordinary Public Consistory.

The Pope led the Cardinals residing in Rome in praying Mid-Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours before they proceeded to review the causes of canonization of several Blesseds.

Cardinal Marcelo Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints, presented a brief report—known in Latin as the Peroratio—on the lives and miracles of the 15 people under consideration, after which the Consistory voted and approved their canonization… Read more »

Safeguarding commissions should be ‘required by law’

Photo: Viktoria Nikolla

A safeguarding commission should be legally required in all situations where organisations provide services to minors and vulnerable adults to protect against and respond to potential abuses, according to the head of the Safeguarding Commission of the Church in Malta, Mark Pellicano.

Pellicano, a social worker who was appointed by Archbishop Charles Scicluna as the head of the Safeguarding Commission last year, made his case as he was being interviewed on the latest edition of Andrew Azzopardi on RTK103Read more »

Liturgical celebrations of Archbishop Charles Scicluna in July 2024

Matul ix‑xahar ta’ Lulju, l‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta xxandar il‑quddiesa kuljum fid‑9:30am fuq TVM, Knisja.mt u Newsbook Malta. Mit‑Tnejn sas‑Sibt tixxandar it‑talba tar‑rużarju fuq Knisja.mt, Newsbook Malta, u Facebook u YouTube tal‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta. Kull nhar ta’ Ħadd, il‑quddiesa tixxandar fuq TVM, Knisja.mt u Newsbook Malta, l‑istazzjon tar‑radju RTK 103, u Facebook u YouTube tal‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta.

L‑Arċisqof Charles Scicluna se jiċċelebra l‑quddies f’dawn il‑ġranet:

It‑Tnejn 1 ta’ Lulju, fid‑9:30am, l‑Arċisqof jiċċelebra quddiesa fil‑festa tal‑Beatu Nazju Falzon mill‑Knisja ta’ Ġieżu fil‑Belt Valletta, li tixxandar fuq TVM, Knisja.mt u  Newsbook Malta… Read more »

Closing of the diocesan inquiries for the beatification and canonisation of Henry and Inez Casolani

Archbishop Charles Scicluna will preside over the closing of the diocesan inquiries into the lives of Servants of God, Henry and Inez Casolani, on Friday, 5th July 2024, at St Augustine Church, Valletta. The celebration will begin at 6:15pm with the closing rite of the inquiries, followed by a Thanksgiving Mass which will be broadcast on Church.mt and Newsbook Malta. Henry and Inez Casolani are exemplary models of Servants of God in marriage, family and everyday life… Read more »

Caritas reports shift in drug trends as cannabis surpasses heroin in treatment requests

  San Blas Therapeutic Center, Ħaż-Żebbuġ

Photo: Caritas Malta

In a graduation ceremony held at the San Blas Therapeutic Center, Caritas Malta Director Anthony Gatt highlighted significant shifts in Malta’s drug landscape, with cannabis now overtaking heroin as the primary reason people seek assistance.

The event, celebrating nine individuals who successfully completed drug rehabilitation programs, shed light on emerging challenges in substance abuse patterns.

Gatt reported a landmark change in treatment-seeking behaviour: “For the first time they sought help more for cannabis than for heroin.”

According to Gatt, of the 808 clients who contacted Caritas last year, 21% sought help for cannabis use, compared to 17% for heroin… Read more »

The BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Dar Tal-Providenza is back

This year’s edition of the BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, was officially launched on Wednesday afternoon by Fr Martin Micallef, the home’s director, and Charles Azzopardi, head CSR at Bank of Valletta, during a press conference held at Pembroke Secondary School within St Clare’s College, where the training and preparation of the players taking part in the marathon is under way.  Every year this marathon takes place helping to raise the much needed funds for the home. 

Id-Dar tal-Providenza was founded in 1965, to offer residential services for persons with disabilities.  Today the home hosts 115 persons at its residences in Siġġiewi, Qawra Żurrieq and Birkirkara… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: The Lord entrusted his Kingdom to flawed St Peter

  Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today, Solemnity of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul, in the Gospel Jesus says to Simon, whom He named Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19). This is why often we see Saint Peter depicted holding two large keys, as in the statue here in this Square… Read more »

Fondazzjoni Sebħ organises ‘SEBĦ Bazaar 2024’

Fondazzjoni Sebħ is organising its first bazaar which will be held at their premises in Ħamrun, on the 28th, 29th and 30th June 2024. The public is invited to support the organisation that assists with educational, residential and aftercare services.

Volunteers have generously donated several items including handicrafts, clothes, furniture and more that will be available for purchase through this collective initiative.

Fondazzjoni Sebħ has coordinated this event to raise awareness and funds and encourage the community to support a cause that fosters a sense of safety and value for children and families… Read more »

Invitation to conversations on the role of the Maltese Church in today’s society

The year 2024 of the synodal process for ecclesial renewal One Church, One Journey is dedicated to the theme “Church that Goes Forth”.

At the last Diocesan Assembly of November 2023 that launched the year, participants identified a number of themes where the local Church needs to go forth so that, in the spirit of St Paul the Apostle who proclaimed the gospel among us with gestures of healing, we too reach out with “unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2) to heal wounds… Read more »