News from the Church in Malta
“I have found so much faith in Ireland,” Pope Francis said at the end of his two-day visit to the land of Saints and Scholars. “The Irish have suffered so much from the scandals, but they know how to distinguish the truth from half-truths,” he said, reciting the words spoken to him by an unnamed Bishop a few hours earlier…
Respectful of tradition, the announcement came at the end of the closing Mass. The name of the venue for the next World Day of Families is a closely-guarded secret, known only by a handful of people, including the Pope, who has to approve the decision, and the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, which has the responsibility of organizing the event…
Months of preparation went into creating the event considered one of the highlights of the World Meeting of Families 2018: the Festival of Families that was celebrated in Dublin’s Croke Park Stadium on Saturday evening together with some 70,000 people. Even the stage design reflected an ideal “circle of encounter” where families could sit close to Pope Francis while sharing their testimonies and enjoying the performances…
The second day of the Pastoral Congress of the WMOF in Dublin, Ireland, included 28 keynote and breakout sessions, as well as a message of hope to the world: “The family has a future and is the salvation of humanity”.
Some of the morning panels tackled broad topics such as human trafficking, the role of grandparents in the family and supporting newly married couples in the parish…
The first day of the Pastoral Congress of The World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland, saw 26 keynote and breakout sessions, as well as a message of hope to the world during Mass lead by the Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, in which he discussed the idea that the Church is the “family of families.”
International speakers for international themes
The panels included interactive workshops and round table discussions all regarding different aspects of family life…
Members of the Vatican Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) issued a statement on Tuesday, just one day after Pope Francis’ letter to all the People of God.
The Commission begins by saying it is encouraged by Pope Francis’ letter and thanked him for “his strong words recognizing the pain and suffering endured by people who have suffered sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by some members of the church”…
“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it” (1 Cor 12:26). These words of Saint Paul forcefully echo in my heart as I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by many minors due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by a significant number of clerics and consecrated persons…
A group of 15 Maltese young people from ŻAK met with another 45 young people originating from Italy, Romania, Poland, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Spain in Grottaferrata Italy, between the 7th and 13th August. OWLS (Opportunities + Willingness + Learning = Success) is a project financed through Erasmus+ and focuses on the challenges and successes they face as voluntary youth leaders…
On Thursday evening, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, issued the following statement regarding the report of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury issued earlier this week in the United States over the sexual abuse of minors.
“Regarding the report made public in Pennsylvania this week, there are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow…
Pope Francis said on Wednesday he is praying for all those affected by a bridge collapse in the northern Italian city of Genoa.
A section of the 45-meter high ‘Morandi’ bridge collapsed on Tuesday morning. Officials say at least 39 people died in the tragedy.
On the Solemnity of the Assumption, Pope Francis prayed that “our heavenly Mother obtain comfort, courage, and serenity for all”, especially those affected by the bridge collapse…
