The Mediterranean Theological Network (RT Med) convened in Malta for an international conference titled “On Mediterranean Routes: Methodological Guidelines for Theology from the Mediterranean”.
The event gathered researchers and theologians from across the region, including Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Albania, Italy, France, Spain and Malta.
The conference opened with an in-depth exploration of Malta’s unique Mediterranean context: its history, cultural roots and contemporary challenges. This provided a foundational perspective for developing a theology capable of engaging with the complex realities of the region. Participants were also immersed in local cultural experiences that enriched the reflective process in a tangible way.
A central theme of the conference was the Mediterranean as a space of encounter, often uninhabited, yet full of potential to become a place of unity. Using the metaphor of the journey and drawing inspiration from key figures in Maltese history, participants collaborated to devise a methodological framework for a theology that emerges from and speaks to the Mediterranean context.
The program also included guided visits to several significant religious and cultural sites, such as the Catacombs of St Agatha and St Paul’s Grotto in Rabat, and St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Participants also had the opportunity to experience the vibrant feast of Our Lady of the Lily in Mqabba, deepening their engagement with local traditions.
The conference concluded with a Eucharistic celebration at St John’s Co-Cathedral, presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi. In his homily, delivered on the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, Bishop Galea-Curmi reflected on the mission of the Network:
“In a Mediterranean marked by conflicts, divisions, and migrations, the Trinity offers us a model of coexistence in difference. Just as the three divine Persons live in perfect unity without erasing their distinctiveness, so too are our Mediterranean societies called to value cultures, languages, and traditions—without fear of the other.”
The Mediterranean Theological Network is committed to continuing its journey across the Mediterranean, seeking to build new connections not only among scholars and institutions, but also among the diverse cultures and religions of the region.