As we have already lost a substantial part of our Maltese identity, strongly built on a religious culture dating back hundreds of years, any planned dubious legislation harmful to morals should be rescinded and shelved.

Just over two years ago I had written: "Let's hope and pray that with immediate effect the relationship between Church and State is more orientated towards Catholic moral and religious convictions."

The encyclical Mater et Magistra describes a necessity to work towards an authentic community in order to promote human dignity. It taught that the state must sometimes intervene in matters of health care, education, and housing; that charity, not self-interest, should be "the supreme criterion in economic matters"; and that it is the responsibility of humankind to create a national and international order that promotes social justice, "in which all economic activity can be conducted not merely for private gain but also in the interests of the common good".  

This expert advice should never be ignored.

I believe this humble message to the new government, which I congratulate on its election, still stands as an ideal blueprint even for the overwhelming majority of its Catholic supporters.

 

John Azzopardi

Zabbar