Resources

Written in blood

In this time of seismic change and instability, many of us are finding the scale of injustice overwhelming. It can be inspiring to look to the Christian martyrs for justice whose lives were “written in blood” – extraordinary people whose stories of truth, justice and peace, in the face of indifference and opposition, offered witness to a hope-filled future of solidarity and fraternity. But what are the causes of injustice in our time, and what does it mean to live a life written in blood today? … Read more »

Good governance

If “honesty, justice, a sense of duty and transparency are the essential pillars of a mature civil society” (Pope Francis in Malta, Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps), how is Malta doing on this score? Whilst everyone seems to agree that Malta needs to embrace these principles of good governance, the level of distrust and cynicism shown by people towards anything political seems to be increasing at an alarming level… Read more »

The ring, the sandals & the robe

In the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15, 11-32), when the younger son returns home, the Father gives him some welcome-home gifts: a Ring, a pair of Sandals, and the best Robe. In this guide, the relevance of these three objects for our Christian lives is explored through a series of:

  • Icebreakers
  • Biblical reflections
  • Activities
  • Movie clips
  • Prayer moments
  • Follow-up actions

By becoming more aware of the gifts they have received, young participants (12-16 years) will also be invited to make a positive difference in the lives of others by committing themselves to faith-based participation in society… Read more »

The Church in Malta

When speaking in Ta’ Pinu, Pope Francis invited us to rediscover the essentials of our faith in a process of renewal of the life of the Church which is “never merely a past to remember but a great future to build”. With dwindling numbers and an ever-growing divide between Gospel values and the dominant culture, how can the local Church continue sharing the Good News with everyone and not just to a closed circle? … Read more »

aħseb u ara: Discussion guide

Il-Malta Catholic Youth Network u l-Kummissjoni Ġustizzja u Paċi ħejjew riżorsa ġdida biex takkumpanja is-serje ta’ podcasts aħseb u ara.

Din ir-riżorsa toffri gwida għal diskussjoni dwar it-temi mit-Tagħlim Soċjali tal-Knisja msemmija fil-podcast.

  1. Il-Polarizzazzjoni tad-Diskors
  2. Il-Prinċipji tat-Tagħlim Soċjali tal-Knisja
  3. L-Ambjent
  4. Il-Missjoni tal-Knisja
  5. Il-Familja
  6. L-Ekonomija
  7. Ix-Xogħol
  8. Il-Paċi

Ma’ kull tema ġew abbinati tliet jew erba’ filmati qosra, fejn ma’ kull filmat għandkom issibu:
• Kwotazzjoni mit-Tagħlim tal-Knisja jew diskorsi relevanti… Read more »

Sustainable development

Notwithstanding an increased awareness about the unsustainability of our current economic model, radical change in the way we move, consume and build does not seem to be any nearer. The option of gently nudging people towards adopting more virtuous and sustainable lifestyles does not seem to be good enough. Might it be time to introduce economic “sticks” in the form for example of environmental taxes, which reflect the true cost of our self-inflicted environmental damage? … Read more »

Cultural heritage

Every time we disregard our roots and forget where we’re coming from, we are impoverished. Our identity is in danger and we risk falling prey to new forms of ideological colonization. At the same time, an over-emphasis on roots, memory and identity can lead us to the kind of nostalgic ideologies which exclude the “other” and leave us stuck in the past.

With Fr Nicholas Doublet, lecturer in Church history at the University of Malta and Dr Karsten Xuereb, researcher in cultural relations with a focus on the Mediterranean, we speak about Malta’s calling to be a “laboratory of organic development” (Pope Francis)… Read more »

Displacement

Not a day goes by without reading an article on migration or overhearing a remark about the impact of migrants on Maltese society. The Pope himself, when visiting Malta, made it a point to meet migrants at the Ħal Far Peace Lab to express his solidarity and closeness to people on the move.

But who exactly is a migrant? Has the number of people leaving their home country increased and do they find welcoming communities? … Read more »

rethink.mt

To follow up on Pope Francis’ visit to Malta, the Archdiocese of Malta is launching a project titled: rethink.mt: Rethink culture.

rethink.mt is a space for respectful dialogue on complex issues shaping Maltese culture. Supported by the Vicariate for Evangelisation and hosted by Justice & Peace –Malta, discussions will take place with various people active in Maltese society about the kind of culture we are hoping to build together… Read more »

Catholic Social Teaching: a dialogue

Aħseb u Ara is a podcast hosted by the Malta Catholic Youth Network and the Justice and Peace Commission. This project is the result of a collaboration that began in 2021 and led to the Youth Engagement Study research, which was carried out in the same year.

The aim of these podcasts was to discuss themes from the Social Teaching of the Church… Read more »