First things first.

On behalf of the Maltese people, I think that congratulations are in order. Maybe I’m being too bold by involving all Maltese citizens in my best wishes but I believe that as Christians, our Christian response on your appointment as Archbishop is something that unites us all. Secondly, since you were born in Valletta, I feel that I am thoroughly privileged that your good self was bred in the same birthplace that I was.

I am sure that Valletta residents were overjoyed to hear their city being mentioned over and over again, all due to your most significant challenge, that you have accepted most humbly.

I know that it is not an easy task being accountable for numerous responsibilities but I’m sure that your priority in life is that, in spite of many forces against you (because you are a human being after all), you spontaneously and sincerely give all your problems into the Lord’s hands.

As you probably know more than most people, it takes many long years to learn to exchange our own personal weakness, at each step of our lives, for the strength of God. But having once achieved this necessary renunciation, peace of God has evidently been very present in your life.

Your Grace, Malta is in a crisis. Actually we have two major “tsunamis” that are causing pandemonium in our tiny island.

First of all, it seems that going to church is not part of our “culture” any more. And yes, I’m one of those people who wonders why this is so.

For the Christian, the Mass should be an unfathomable mystery of blind faith and the inexhaustible and unique source of salvation, for it makes present again the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. Some people argue that one does not need to go to Mass to find God because God is everywhere.

What a poor excuse for refraining from going inside a church. For it is only thanks to the Eucharist that the death and resurrection of Christ cease to be merely a historical event situated in the distant past.

Only through Holy Communion does Jesus Christ cease to be identifiable with a particular country or race or social class or historical period.

Only through Mass and the Eucharist are we a complete union with Christ. I sincerely hope that although it is indeed a difficult “journey” – trying to bring about the return of the lost sheep to the “fold”, in this case the Church – you will eventually manage to do it.

The other grave dangers we are consumed with are the rifts that keep occurring on our island because of politics.

We have families who have not spoken to each other for years because of their political colours. We hear tales of vindictiveness, personal hatred, vengeance, etc., etc., but most of all the way each political party keeps slinging mud at the adversary is shameful, abominable and something to be condemned. Politicians should be there to set a good example to people, but they are behaving much worse by making the content of their speeches way too personal.

Instead of uniting people, they are stimulating them to hatred.

Even here, you have the wearisome task of being ultra careful in choosing the right words to use.

Personally, Your Grace, I have no doubt that you will be instrumental in achieving the best possible results in your new commitment.

I have a strong conviction that you see no person as a child of a Lesser God.

There is but one God and to him, and I’m sure to you, all man are born equal.

May 26 January 2007 be a red letter day in the field of Catholic action.

Valerie Borg

MLP Councillor

Valletta