People feel institutions at the whim of powerful networks, archbishop warns in stern Independence Day homily

The Archbishop has warned that many Maltese have lost faith in their institutions, fearing they serve networks of money and influence rather than the people they were created to serve.

Speaking during his homily at an Independence Day Mass earlier on Monday, he cited the family of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, still seeking full justice for her heinous murder after nine painful years, as embodying those carrying "deep wounds that cannot simply be washed away by a few insults or carefully prepared words".

"The many good people in our country who have lost faith in institutions they fear are serving networks of money and influence rather than the people they were created to serve" represent a profound crisis, the Archbishop said.

His warning stemmed from remarks made at a 'State of the Nation' conference, where he spoke about damage to Malta's reputation from allegations of corruption and networks of money, influence, favours and protection.

He acknowledged that in the wake of such an "extremely painful episode for our country", some chose to focus on their own bias, narrative or minor discomfort rather than confronting these deep wounds.

The archbishop stressed that when informal networks become more powerful than official institutions, the threat extends far beyond individual acts of corruption. "When informal networks become more powerful than our institutions, the danger goes beyond individual acts of corruption. It becomes a threat to the integrity, and ultimately the independence, of the nation itself," he said.

He emphasised that this concerns a nation that "belongs to us all irrespective of political colour or creed". His appeal was directed at those entrusted with public responsibility and to all Maltese with a duty to ensure institutions remain stronger than the interests that may seek to influence them.

The issue transcends politics, he argued. "Ultimately, this is not about politics. It is much bigger than that. It is about what kind of country we want Malta to be, and whether people can trust its institutions to serve them with independence, courage and integrity."

He also turned the critique inward, stating the Church must hold itself to the same standards. "What we ask of the State, we in the Church must also be equally prepared to ask of ourselves," he said. Transparency, foresight and accountability must be values in the governance of both State and Church, he insisted.

"When we, as leaders within the Church, fail in this responsibility, our witness sounds hollow, and our ministry is compromised," he added.