Author: Daniel Darmanin

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 »

The Seamless Garment

An Antidote against Helplessness in a Globalised World

Moments of crisis are always moments of change. Whether they turn out to be moments of growth or of regression, however, depends entirely on us. While Malta, like the rest of the world, was straining to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under control, it was being challenged by another not unfamiliar issue. Stranded in its seas and pleading entry into its ports were children, women and men crammed on flimsy crafts, seeking brighter futures in Europe for themselves and for their loved ones still trapped in their beleaguered homelands… Read more »

A CALL TO SAFEGUARD OPEN SPACES

STATEMENT BY THE COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE

As Maltese society hopefully approaches the end of the partial lockdown, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta would like to reflect on the importance of open spaces available to all. This is being done in the same week in which we are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical Laudato si’ by Pope Francis, “On the Care of Our Common Home”… Read more »

Laudato Si’ Week

What is Laudato Si Week? What is special about this week?

Laudato Si’ Week honours the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “on care for our common home.” This week’s theme is “everything is connected” where between the 16th and 24th of May 2020, a number of events will are planned all over the world on the invitation of Pope Francis to reflect and take action throughout this special week… Read more »

Simplicity is the Key for a flourishing family and a thriving society

On this day dedicated to the family, we ought to take some time to stop and reflect on this very important reality that forms the bedrock of our society. It is within the family that one learns that mutual respect, justice, dialogue and love are essential for successful coexistence.  If one proves to be responsible and to practice solidarity in the “little things”, it will be more likely to do so “in big things” too.  The family thereby makes an irreplaceable contribution to the “humanization of society” (C… Read more »

Workers’ Day 2020

This year’s celebration of Workers’ Day occurs in a somewhat unique context. A context in which the question of work is more pronounced than ever before. In the last weeks, many of us have experienced a complete change in the way we work. Some are working from home, for some it is impossible to work, and others have ended without a job. Then there are those whose work our society relies on, and whose contribution we cannot do without. 

The situation has made us question what truly is essential in our lives, and what value we are giving those whose work is essential at the moment… Read more »

Water and integral human development; the cry of the poor and of the Earth

“I thirst” These words were uttered by Jesus on the cross.  “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (Jn. 7:37) Jesus’s words attest to the fact that water is essential for the survival and well-being of all human beings.  The very definition of life requires water.  Astronomers look for water when evaluating the possibility of life on other planets. Aqua fons vitae (the document recently published by the Vatican) identifies three main dimensions relevant to water and its management: water for human use, water for human activities and water as space. 

The World Health Organisation has recognized that safe access to drinking water and sanitization is a human right.   Yet, several poor areas have their access to safe drinking water threatened by high prices imposed by the market.  Periods of drought remove freely available freshwater sources.   Lack of sanitation facilities expose women to sexual abuse and keep girls away from schools.  Chemical substances released into the waters from agricultural and industrial practices lead to bioaccumulation inside humans, and can potentially lead to irreversible detrimental health effects.  This underlines the importance of investing in sustainable water infrastructure in these countries.  It is worth noting that for every dollar invested in water and sanitation, it is possible to save up to 12 dollars in health costs alone.  It is everyone’s duty not to waste water and moderate consumption.  Wastewater treatment is beneficial and has a role in implementing a circular economy.  With everyone’s efforts, resources can be directed to help the poor achieve integral development… Read more »

Water – a source of life and an essential element for human integral development

Living on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, it is perhaps very easy to take water for granted.  Water surrounds us everywhere we go.  It is very easy to just open the tap and find water suitable for drinking. It is hard to imagine that around the world an estimated two billion people do not have easy access to clean, drinkable water.  Although a huge proportion of the earth’s surface consists of water in the form of oceans and the seas, only about 1.2% of this water is accessible as freshwater in lakes, swamps and rivers.  Yet, the availability of this water is unevenly distributed around the world and many times it is not suitable for drinking due to pollution and other contaminants.  Industrial processes have placed an increased demand for freshwater.  Water is a common good and a fundamental human right, but there are instances where this right is not respected.  A recent document issued by the Vatican entitled Aqua fons vitae (Water is a source of life), rightfully explores this fundamental aspect of water for the promotion of human dignity and integrity of human development.  Management of water resources can find a strong inspiration in Catholic Social Teaching especially in themes relating to human dignity, solidarity, justice, the universal destination of goods, subsidiarity, common good, integral ecology, integral human development and the preferential option of the poor.  Indeed, water represents an area that allows us to put into practice evangelical principles for the good of humankind.  

Water also has a religious value.  The Bible makes various references to water, 1500 verses to be exact.  Some notable passages which involve water include the passage of creation and various instances of healing… Read more »

He has conquered death, He is risen!

As an Easter greeting we would like to remember the words of Pope Francis, from the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelli Gaudium:

Christ’s resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force. Often it seems that God does not exist: all around us we see persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty… Read more »

“The poor will be always with you”

Today Pope Francis delivered a very strong homily about our responsibilities towards the poor and the vulnerable. He speaks of a reality which is global, and the points he makes are very much worth pondering.

…today I would like to dwell on a word of Jesus. Six days before Easter – we are right at the door of the Passion – Mary makes this gesture of contemplation: Martha served – like the other step – and Mary opens the door to contemplation… Read more »