As from today, Tuesday 10th January 2012, parish priests hailing from the 70 parishes in Malta, are attending a three-day Live in, together with Archbishop Paul Cremona OP. The theme chosen for this year’s Live-in is “The Maltese Diaspora and the Church’s role as a beacon”.
The word ‘diaspora’ originated at the time of the Jewish exile. The Jews lost their land and everything which gave them their identity as the people of God. From a nation united through a religious culture that was distinctive and thriving, they became a nation whose people were scattered and confused, even with respect to their beliefs.
The metaphor of the Jewish diaspora is being applied to our contemporary life. For a long period of time, the Maltese people were of one mind, shared the same beliefs and our culture was primarily religious. Today, this scenario is shifting. Our culture aspires to a way of life and values which are not necessarily Christian. Therefore it is easy for Catholics to become confused and to feel that their identity is being threatened.
During the coming week, the parish priests will try and come to terms with this situation. In the light of the Word of God, they will discern how the Church can carry on with its mission amidst this upheaval. They will try and understand better God’s message and the road which the Church must follow
During the Live-in, parish priests will be presented with guidelines concerning the life, attitudes and mission of the parish priest. The media is invited to attend this presentation which will be held on Thursday 12th January 2012, at 10.45 a.m. at the Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtu.
Massimo Introvigne, a sociologist, founder and director of CENSUR (Centro Studi sulle Nuove Religioni), who is also the author and editor of several books on the subject of sociology and religion, has been invited to address the parish priests during the Live-In.