Archbishop calls on EU, Malta to heed migrants’ call for help

Archbishop Paul Cremona calls for greater interdependence to tackle migration, warns of increases in teenage pregnancies and alcohol abuse.

Archbishop Paul Cremona delivering his homily during this morning's Pontifical Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral. Photo: Chris Mangion/Mediatoday
Archbishop Paul Cremona delivering his homily during this morning's Pontifical Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral. Photo: Chris Mangion/Mediatoday
All photos by Chris Mangion/MediaToday
All photos by Chris Mangion/MediaToday

Archbishop Paul Cremona has today called on the European Union and Malta “not to close its eyes and ears on the call for mercy from our brothers and sisters abroad,” insisting that asylum-seekers should not be “discriminated or left in agony, but instead rescued.”

Addressing a Pontifical Mass celebrated at St. John’s co-Cathedral on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Malta’s independence, the Archbishop – in a reference to the plight of migrants - underlined the need to change from “independence” to “interdependence” between Malta and the countries of the EU and beyond.

“Why shouldn’t our country – a Catholic nation – speak out in the European Union and in other international fora so that the anguished cry of this people may be heard and their fundamental rights respected?”

“This is an expression of agony which is a far cry from the plea which our nation makes when it rightfully states that a country as small as ours cannot possibly contain the large number of immigrants which arrive on our shores,” he said.

Thanking those who rescued migrants, Cremona also made a heartfelt appeal for the Maltese and Christians alike not to “discriminate against a person based upon his race, country or religion.”

“All forms of discrimination are not in the spirit of the Gospel and are hurtful to God,” he said before heaping praise on Malta for treating asylum-seekers with equal dignity.

Delivering his homily in front of the country's leaders and several politicans as well as Prince William, the Archbishop insisted that Malta’s progress depends on its unity in justice, solidarity, and subsidiarity.

Moreover, he said “the fidelity towards our [Malta’s]  religious beliefs is at the court of our unity as a nation and the progress that we have achieved.”

Cremona expressed pride on the part of a  Maltese nation that “has made giant strides in the part fifty years”, giving thanks to God that no blood was shed in achieving this independence and for its continued faithfulness to its beliefs and its religion.

“While independence bestowed upon us liberty, this independence does not entail isolation. We also thank God that in all our relations, even economic, Malta continued to retain its independence,” he said while stressing Malta’s independence as paramount to avoid it being ruled by other nations.

He also urged all Christians to generously love and support those who need help, “as this too is interdependence” and called on “those of us who are enjoying the fruits of independence” to unite for the good of one and all, both for the Maltese people as well as those beyond our shores “because we are all children of the same God.”

Amongst issues that he believes still require further addressing, the Archbishop mentioned social deprivation as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

Recalling several pastoral visits, he said that “several teachers had told him that children were emotionally or social deprived.”

“Drug and alcohol abuse is increasing among our youth; also, a great number of young girls are becoming pregnant with serious consequences for their future and that of their children. They see this as a sign of exercising their liberty, but little do they realize that they are enslaving themselves in the process.”

In closing, the Archbishop expressed gratitude “in the name of interdependence and in the name of the Merciful God” to all those who are working on a political and social level to ensure a better future for them and their children.