News

Pope Francis: Everything is a grace, a gift given freely by God

09/12/2014

Before the recitation of the Angelus in St Peter’s Square on Monday, Pope Francis devoted his address to the Virgin Mary on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. He said that this feast can be summed up in these words: everything is a grace, everything is a gift given freely by God, because of His love for us.

The Holy Father explained that the Angel Gabriel calls Mary “full of grace” because in her there is no room for sin…

06/12/2014

1. Any legislation which intends to implement the values enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Constitution of Malta is to be welcomed. The values which inspire and shape Europe, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, tolerance and equality, proportionality, human rights and democracy, justice and solidarity, and the rule of law, are to be interpreted not as a catalogue of entitlements but as a necessary precondition of a ‘culture of dignity’ in which every citizen, irrespective of nationality, status, sexual orientation, gender, age or achievement, lives in an inclusive culture of recognition between human beings…

05/12/2014

Pope Francis thanked voluntary workers across the globe describing their work with men and women in difficulty as a living witness of the tenderness of Christ, who walks with humanity in every era.

Speaking to members of FOCSIV, an International Federation of Christian Voluntary Workers whom he received in audience on International Volunteer Day (December 5), the Pope says voluntary workers offer an image of a Church that rolls up its shirt sleeves and bows to serve its brothers and sisters in difficulty…

04/12/2014

The Holy See, as has already been communicated, concerning the process of the nomination of the new Archbishop of Malta, has given instructions to the Apostolic Nuncio, to start the canonical process of consultation in choosing a successor for Archbishop Paul Cremona.

According to the guidelines of Canon Law, the Apostolic Nuncio is presently seeking the sensus fidelium of the people of God: laity, clergy and religious, on the situation of the Archdiocese, and is asking them to propose names as possible candidates to be considered as the next Archbishop…

04/12/2014

Pope Francis had words of praise and thanks for Turkey and the Salesian fathers of Istanbul, for all the good and “hidden” work they do for countless refugees from the Iraqi and Syrian wars.

Retracing the steps of his recent pilgrimage to Turkey during his general audience Wednesday, the Pope also highlighted the constant need for prayer on the journey towards full communion with the Orthodox Church and reiterated the importance of Christians and Muslims working together in solidarity for peace…

04/12/2014

Il-Ġimgħa 4 ta’ Diċembru 2014, l-Isqof Charles J. Scicluna, Amministratur Appostoliku, żar lill-istudenti u l-voluntiera li qed jieħdu sehem fl-attività ‘Make My House a Home Orange Campaign’, fuq il-kampus tal-Università. Matul din il-kampanja qed jinbiegħ larinġ magħsur biex jinġabru l-flus għall-Preventive Care Unit fi ħdan l-Uffiċċju ‘Ejjew Għandi’, li tgħin il-familji bi tfal li huma f’riskju ta’ faqar. Din il-kampanja qed tiġi organizzata mill-Għaqda Studenti tat-Teoloġija, b’kollaborazzjoni ma’ RTK 4 Charity…

03/12/2014

For the first time in history, the leaders of the world’s major religions gathered together in the Vatican this morning with the aim of eliminating modern slavery. Today, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, a ceremony was held in the seat of the Pontifical Academy for Sciences in the Vatican’s Casina Pio IV for the signing of the Declaration of Religious Leaders against Slavery…

02/12/2014

- The Catholic Enquiry Centre, Dar l-Emigrant, will be holding a preparatory marriage course for couples where one of the partners is a foreigner. This will commence on 10th January 2015 and continues for four consecutive Saturdays.
  
  For booking one may contact us at [email protected] or 21222644, 21240255, 21232545
  
  On completion of the course a certificate will be given to be presented to Curia together with other required documents…

02/12/2014

Pope Francis chose to conclude his final day in Turkey by meeting a group of around a hundred refugees and asylum seekers. Christians and Muslims, they were mostly from Iraq and Syria, although some were from other countries in the Middle East and Africa, and have been assisted for some time by the Salesian community in Istanbul. The meeting took place in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit…

02/12/2014

Straight off the plane from Turkey, Pope Francis resumed his daily activities at the Vatican Monday morning which included a meeting with Swiss bishops who are on their 5 yearly Ad limina visit.

The Pope handed them a pre-prepared text and then greeted them one by one. In the text the Pope praises Switzerland’s history of being at the forefront of working for peace, through its witness to cultural and religious coexistence…