News

The new Apostolic Nuncio presents copy of credentials

18/09/2017

  • The Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Mgr Alessandro D’Errico, presented copies of his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Carmelo Abela, during a cordial meeting held at Palazzo Parisio in Valletta. During the presentation they discussed bilateral relations between Malta and the Holy See, and other matters of mutual interest.

    Mgr D’Errico was born in Frattamaggiore in Naples, Italy, on the 18th November 1950 and was ordained priest in 1974…

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Kidnapped priest recounts harrowing 18-month ordeal

18/09/2017

  • Fr Tom Uzhunnalil was sitting in a room in an unknown location – one of several he had been relocated to during his 18-month imprisonment – when he received some unexpected news.

    “Those who kept me came to where I slept [and said]: ‘I bring you good news. We are sending you home. If you need to go to the bathroom, go…

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It was a Catholic priest who saved Private Ryan

16/09/2017

  • Among those soldiers who landed behind German lines in Normandy on June 6, 1944 was the legendary chaplain of the unit, Fr. Francis L. Sampson (1912-1996). It was he (and not the character played by Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan), who days later was ordered by military authorities to find Fritz Niland, the real-life “Private Ryan,” who had lost his three brothers on D-Day…

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Guided by the best interest of students and staff – Statement by the Secretariat for Catholic Education

15/09/2017

  • With reference to the trade dispute concerning St Angela Kindergarten, Zabbar, the Secretariat for Catholic Education observes that the MUT failed to mention that the deployment of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) is part of a wider restructuring exercise of all St Angela Kindergarten schools, which is being implemented in the best interest of students and staff alike. This follows an external audit which was originally proposed by and carried out in consultation with the MUT. 

    The Secretariat categorically denies any alleged malpractices in the management of
    St Angela schools, and defends the right and duty to deploy employees as required…

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New Archpriest for St Helen’s Parish, Birkirkara

15/09/2017

    • L‑Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna ħatar lill‑Monsinjur Paul Carmel Vella bħala Prepostu Arċipriet tal‑Parroċċa ta’ Sant’Elena, Birkirkara.

      Mons. Paul Vella twieled fit‑23 ta’ Settembru 1961, fis‑Siġġiewi. Irċieva l‑edukazzjoni primarja fl‑iskola tas‑Siġġiewi, u dik sekondarja f’Ħaż‑Żebbuġ. Wara li daħal is‑Seminarju tal-Arċisqof, kompla bl‑istudji fil‑Fakultà tat‑Teoloġija f’Tal‑Virtù, ir-Rabat, u ggradwa fit‑Teoloġija Pastorali mill‑Università ta’ Malta.

      Kien ordnat saċerdot fit‑8 ta’ Lulju tal‑1988, u beda l‑ħidma tiegħu bħala segretarju u kappillan tal‑Arċisqof Ġużeppi Mercieca, fejn dam għal seba’ snin…

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Abortion is no taboo – It must be spoken of in the light of truth

14/09/2017

  • In the session of the National Youth Parliament held on Wednesday 13th September 2017, the subject of abortion was brought up. The Malta Catholic Youth Network – the diocesan youth commission of the Church – considers that the subject of abortion should not be a taboo but spoken of in the light of truth.

    The MCYN represents a large number of youth organisations in Malta which strongly oppose abortion…

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The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

14/09/2017

  • The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion.

    The basilica, named the Martyrium, and the shrine, named the Calvarium, were destroyed by the Persians in 614…

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C9 cardinals meet to discuss Vatican reforms

14/09/2017

  • The head of the Holy See press office, Greg Burke, held a briefing for journalists on Wednesday to report on this week’s meeting of the so-called ‘C9’ Council of Cardinals. The aim of this 21st session of the C9 was to reflect on the ongoing reforms of the Curia.

    The meeting took place over three days, from Monday to Wednesday, with Pope Francis joining the group of his closest advisors for the Tuesday morning and afternoon sessions…

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The Archbishop concludes his pastoral visit in London

13/09/2017

  • L‑Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna llum temm żjara pastorali f’Londra, l‑Ingilterra, li matulha mexxa ċ‑ċelebrazzjoni tal‑festa tal-Madonna tal-Vitorja fl‑okkażjoni ta’ Malta Day – UK, u żar il‑pazjenti Maltin li qed jingħataw il‑kura f’Londra.

    Iċ‑ċelebrazzjoni tal‑festa tal‑Vitorja saret fil‑Katidral ta’ Westminster, is‑Sibt 9 ta’ Settembru, bħala parti mill‑attivitajiet organizzati mill‑Kummissjoni Għolja ta’ Malta f’Londra b’kollaborazzjoni mal‑għaqdiet tal‑Maltin fir‑Renju Unit.

    Waqt l‑omelija, l‑Arċisqof ħeġġeġ biex filwaqt li niċċelebraw ir‑rebħiet fuq l‑assedji li għaddiet minnhom Malta, nitolbu li nirbħu wkoll dawk l‑assedji li qed iħabbtu lis‑soċjetà tal‑lum…

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Abducted Salesian priest released: “We thank God and Pope Francis’ commitment”

13/09/2017

  • “First of all, we express our deep gratitude to God for the happy conclusion of this incident. We must then thank the Indian government, which put into place every effort for the release of Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, the Indian Salesian kidnapped over a year ago in Yemen. And we also need to thank Pope Francis’ personal commitment. Fr. Tom is free and is now on his way to the Vatican”, says to Agenzia Fides Bishop Thedore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference of India…

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