Updated | Archbishop warns MPs of 'seductive success', urges them to strive for justice

All photography: James Bianchi/MediaToday

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Michelle Muscat

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil

Archbishop Charles J Scicluna

PN deputy leader, Mario de Marco

PN deputy leader, Beppe Fenech Adami

Parliamentary secretary for animal rights, Clint Camilleri

PN whip David Agius

Labour whip, Byron Camilleri

Former Nationalist prime minister Lawrence Gonzi

Godfrey Farrugia and Marlene Farrugia

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil, fromer prime minister Lawrence Gonzi, President Emeritus George Abela, MPs and State officials are attending a mass at St. John's Co-Cathedral this morning, marking the State Opening of the 13th Parliament of the Republic of Malta.

The mass, which is being celebrated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, will be followed by the official opening ceremony.

In his homily, Archbishop Charles Scicluna underscored the responsibility that comes with leading the country.

Quoting Pope Benedict, Scicluna said that “politics must be a striving for justice”, and must therefore “establish the fundamental preconditions for peace”.

“Naturally, a politician will seek success, without which he would have no opportunity for effective political action at all. Yet success is subordinated to the criterion of justice, to the will to do what is right, and to the understanding of what is right,” said Scicluna.

“Success can also be seductive and thus can open up the path towards the falsification of what is right, towards the destruction of justice.”

The archbishop stressed the of politicians being able to engage in “effective dialogue aimed at healing the deepest roots of the evils” of the world.

“Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good,” he said, insisting that those in politics should strive to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare.

Turning to “fundamental theme” of accountability, Scicluna said that there were different levels of accountability including that to one’s own conscience, to society at large and to God.

“The Lord teaches us not to despise fidelity in the small things in life. This includes fidelity in the small acts of everyday life, it includes those many meetings, those decisions that do not reach the headlines the next day, but make up the backbone of governance and service to the community,” concluded Scicluna.

It is the first time that the official opening ceremony is being held in the new parliament building. During that ceremony, the Speaker will first take his Oath of Allegiance, followed by Members of Parliament. 

The new parliament is composed of 67 MPs - 37 representatives of the governing Labour Party and 30 MPs on the opposition benches.

Parliament starts its work on Monday and is expected to be passing a number of laws, including the long-awaited Marriage Equality Bill, before summer recess.

Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia will be reconfirmed in his position, whilst the Opposition will be nominating Claudette Buttigieg as deputy Speaker.