Bishops denounce violence and corruption

In their latest pastoral letter issued before lent, bishops Paul Cremona, Mario Grech and Charles Scicluna denounced the "alarming increase in violence" and expressed concern over the "cases of corruption which are of an almost institutional nature."

Moreover, they said that party politics, often do not allow people "to seek and perceive the truth."

On corruption "of an almost institutional nature," the letter said that "this is eroding the moral fibre of our society and leads people to believe that there is nothing wrong with stealing, evading taxes, taking false oath in court, and so many other factors which we are reading about almost on a daily basis."

The bishops said that the increase in violence, "points to the fact that in our country, a web of organized crime may be prevalent."

They also said that the rise in domestic violence and brutal attacks on elderly persons, as well as other hostilities of all sorts was "a source of concern."

Acknowledging that violence and corruption are "part of the real, holistic picture of our country," the bishops said that everyone should be troubled.

"But instead of being scandalised and passing judgment, we should combine our efforts and do whatever is necessary, because we are all responsible for one another and for our country," the three bishops said.

The letter also calls for a greater sense of responsibility and duty towards both present and future generations, "so that we too may be able to pass on to our descendants our living traditions of belief, virtues and values."

However the bishops said that the people must make a greater effort to become "more aware of the State, to engender a wider civic sense, and not to be constrained by party politics, which often does not allow us to seek and perceive the truth."

This, the bishops wrote, will allow people to respect the dignity of every person, "irrespective of one's colour, faith, social affiliation, sexual orientation - from all that which makes us different."