In his first message to Maltese emigrants, Archbishop Paul Cremona thanked all emigrants for all their love and sacrifice and the upbringing they gave their children while keeping a close tie to Malta.

Mgr Cremona yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Australian High Commissioner Jurek Juszczyk.

Representatives from the Emigrants Commission, Friends of Australia Association and Maltese-Australian Association were also present.

Mgr Cremona said he admired the Maltese emigrants because they are hard-working people who sacrificed their lives to help improve the quality of life for their families.

Several men left their families behind to find a job and send money back to Malta.

“I admire them because they kept close contact with their loved ones while keeping their faith strong. Their behaviour made us proud,” said Mgr Cremona.

He also thanked all the associations that were set up in the various states in Australia to help out the Maltese.

Mgr Cremona also thanked the media – especially The Maltese Herald – and all means of social communication that kept the Maltese close together.

He pointed out that emigration is part of Maltese history and is a story of love, separation and return to the emigrant’s loved ones.

It was also a period of waiting for children to return to their parents and stability when they returned to their parents, said Mgr Cremona.