News from the Church in Malta
Abuses in Holland
Following the release of a report into sexual abuses by clergy in Holland, the country’s bishops have expressed their sorrow for what happened, promising justice and support for victims.
The Commission Deetman investigated abuses against minors committed from 1945 to 2010. The commission was set up by the Church and it surveyed some 34,000 people… Read more »
Vandalised Mosque in Jerusalem
The day after an ancient mosque in Jerusalem was vandalized and burned, allegedly by Jewish extremists, participants at a Rome conference on “sacred space” called for absolute respect for all places of worship. Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars met at Rome’s Pontifical University of St. Thomas to discuss the theological, legal and sociological implications of sacred space.
“In the course of our deliberations, we were given a reminder of how necessary and timely our exchanges indeed are, as we received news of yet another incident of mosque burning — even if a deserted mosque no longer in use — this time in Jerusalem itself, a city holy to all three religions,” said a statement issued at the end of the meeting… Read more »
Benedict XVI is praying for all Colombians, and especially for the military men, police and civilians who are held by kidnappers.
This was affirmed in a message written on his behalf by his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The papal note was announced at a press conference, and read by the secretary-general of Colombia’s bishops’ conference, Bishop Juan Vicente Cordoba of Fontibon… Read more »
Brothers and sisters,
Once again it is time for me to impart to you my Christmas message. For this year, I am relaying my message from St Vincent de Paule Residence. Maybe some of you might ask: Why from this Residence? Well, the reason is that 2012 has been declared as the Year for the Elderly and Solidarity Between Generations… Read more »
Dear Missionaries,
Once again it is Christmas, the time of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’ family, Mary and Joseph, lived in Nazareth. Yet there are two episodes which remind us that they too were as missionaries: much in the same way as those who leave their country to travel afar in the name of Jesus, with all that this journey entails… Read more »
Dear Emigrants,
Once again it is Christmas, a time which recalls the supreme ‘emigration’ in history. The Son of God ‘emigrated’ so to speak, from the Father to come amongst us. He came on Earth, performed good works and was crucified.
This reflection brings you to mind, dear emigrants.
You too have undertaken a similar journey. … Read more »
The Interdiocesan Liturgical Commission has just published a book containing Responsorial Psalms for Sundays throughout the liturgical year.
The Responsorial Psalm has gained importance since Vatican Council II. Thirteen centuries of tradition had limited the psalm to an organ piece: only a line or two between the first reading and the Gospel. Since Vatican II reform demanded “a more ample, more varied, and more siutable reading” of the Word of God, the present liturgy has a more ample, more varied, and more suitable responsorial psalm through which the community welcomes the Word that is proclaimed to it… Read more »
Nhar il-Ħamis 22 ta’ Diċembru 2011, l-Arċisqof Pawlu Cremona O.P. inawgura l-ewwel fażi tal-Mużew Diġitali tal-Migrazzjoni li qed isir mill-Kummissjoni Emigranti fil-bini ta’ Dar l-Emigrant, Valletta. L-inawgurazzjoni saret waqt l-okkażjoni soċjali tal-Milied li l-Kummissjoni Emigranti torganizza kull sena għall-operaturi u l-voluntiera fid-diversi ħidmiet tagħha.
Dun Alfred Vella, Direttur tal-Kummissjoni Emigranti, spjega li l-ewwel fażi tal-mużew, li x-xogħol fuqha qed isir mill-Grupp Exalta, tħaddan sistema ta’ digital collection management li tirrekordja, tikkonsolida u tippriserva d-dokumentazzjoni kollha li għandha l-Kummissjoni Emigranti dwar l-emigrazzjoni minn Malta. … Read more »
“Mal-Għaqda Nazzjonali Armar fit-Toroq għadu ma ntlaħaqx ftehim. Madankollu aħna qalbna qawwija li naslu ukoll fi ftit żmien. Riedna niffirmaw mal-għaqdiet b’mod separat għaliex kull għaqda hi awtonoma.”
Hekk qal lil IL-ĠENSillum online din il-ġimgħa kelliemi għall-Uffiċċju Komunikazzjoni tal-Kurja tal-Arċisqof, fid-dawl tal-ftehim dwar iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tal-festi reliġjużi, li kien iffirmat nhar l-Erbgħa bejn l-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja f’Malta u l-Għaqda Każini tal-Banda… Read more »
Marian icon
On the occasion of Benedict XVI’s traditional Christmas meeting with university students, a World Youth Day icon was returned to Rome from Madrid. The image of the Virgin Mary Sedes Sapientiae (Seat of Wisdom) traveled throughout Spain in preparation for the 2011 WYD.
Spanish Father Ángel Alba, staff member of the Vicariate of Rome’s university ministry, spoke to ZENIT about the importance of this event… Read more »
