The Muslims and our church

I refer to the report in MaltaToday.com.mt, entitled “St Paul’s Bay councillors unanimously object to Muslim Prayer Room”.

I am certainly not a Muslim but seeing those photographs I couldn’t help admire them for their devotion to their religion.

I will not go into the merit of the council’s decision, but as a churchgoing Catholic I must admit that I am impressed by the devotion of Muslins who go in such large numbers to church (considering the limited number of Muslims that would live in that area). Their hall is not big enough to accommodate them all.

What about our churches? I have not seen a crowded church for the last 50 years, except for the days when there is a village feast. I cannot help notice, when on Sundays I go to mass, that the congregation fills only one-fifth of the seats available and the majority of those attending for mass are over 50-years-old.  

I wonder sometimes as to what is going to happen to our church when the present generation passes away? What are the leaders of our church doing to attract our youth to the church?

Anthony Chircop

Qormi