Author: Daniel Darmanin

Peace and Justice for Belarus

Statement of the Executive Committee of Justice & Peace Europe on the current situation in Belarus.

Following the Presidential election in Belarus held on 9 August 2020, thousands of protesters took to the streets to reject the election results as manipulated, leading to violent clashes with the country’s security forces. According to reports, the disproportionate violence deployed by Belarusian authorities has cost at least two lives and caused hundreds of injuries… Read more »

“You give them something to eat”

In his reflection on last Sunday’s gospel reading, Pope Francis dwelled on the moment when at sundown, the disciples invited Jesus to send the crowd away so that they could go and find something to eat. Jesus answered: “You give them something to eat”. The disciples obviously couldn’t imagine how they could feed that enormous crowd.

Focusing less on the actual miracle, and more on the attitude Jesus requires from his disciples, the Pope explains that this was Jesus’ way to educate them and us in God’s logic.  ‘The logic of taking responsibility for others… Read more »

Human trafficking: Finding remorse for ‘what we have done and what we have failed to do’

The commercialisation of the human body is one of the most shocking realities of our time. As Church we must be particularly sensitive to this issue, since we all have a responsibility, as we say in the Confiteor at the beginning of every Mass, “through what I have done and what I have failed to do.” Such realities thrive also because of our passivity or inaction. 

Gathering data on human trafficking is no easy task… Read more »

The Prophetic Message of Laudato Si ‘

It is often said many times that Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, on the protection of our common home, conveys a prophetic message. This means that it stimulates discussion, challenges hard-set ways of thinking, and leads individuals and society at large to a thorough examination of conscience.

One of the controversial points raised by the encyclical is that on population growth, which the Pope addresses in paragraph 50… Read more »

Faith which leads to action

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, and this year we do so with greater joy because after a long time we can celebrate the Eucharist together again. But the Eucharist is not just about going to mass and receiving Holy Communion; it must be translated into commitment for others. In Christ’s words by feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and more… Read more »

Xandru’s experience

“Everything is about linking the Gospel to life” Rutilio Grande SJ preached in one of his last homilies, a few months before he was assassinated. “Faith only became real in action – faith was never only an idea…the Gospel is closely linked to your life.” These words of a man well on the way to being made a saint of the Catholic Church are, for me, a timeless call to action… Read more »

Lara’s experience

From the first day at sixth form the slogan ‘Men and women for others’ was constantly repeated and emphasised, reiterated during some lessons and speeches. It is a quote taken from Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, highlighting the importance of social awareness. The ‘others’ he mentions involves every human being, especially those who have been ‘othered’ by society such as migrants.

Currently, it is relatively easier to be individualistic, to aim towards self-interest rather than the interest of society as a whole… Read more »

The Common Good of the Seas

On World Ocean’s Day, today 8th June 2020, the Justice & Peace Commission (JP) began working on raising awareness on the Maltese seas and shores, inspired from the European action plan launched by Justice and Peace Europe about the Common Good of the Seas.

The Commission, which contributed in drafting the document of the action plan, has examined its propositions and particularly looked at those issues that are most relevant for Malta… Read more »

We Overcome a Racist Culture When We All Play Our Part

No one can think of what happened on 25 May and remain unfazed. George Floyd, an African-American man was killed while in police custody in the state of Minneapolis, USA.

Floyd’s case is not an isolated one. He is added to the list of several others who were killed simply because their skin is black.

We would be deceived if we were to think that this is just a phenomenon that only affects the US… Read more »

30 years from Pope John Paul II’s meeting with the Maltese Workers.

Thirty years ago, the Maltese islands were blessed with the pastoral visit of Saint John Paul II, a visit fondly remembered by many till this day. During his visit he had several encounters and gave numerous speeches. One of those was his encounter with the workers in Cospicua.

Pope John Paul II spoke about what he describes as the “Gospel of work”, which holds that all honest labour, competently carried out, has an innate dignity and confers dignity on those engaged in it.  … Read more »