We are fortunate that Archbishop Paul Cremona is a pastoral leader of great sensitivity and understanding. He has put the well being of the family at the centre of pastoral care and has shown respect to Christian educators working in Church schools.

It therefore came as a surprise to learn that certain Church schools are planning to start the school year in mid-September apparently with the blessing of the Church authorities. If these plans are adhered to, teaching staff in these schools will be expected to attend school one week before their state and church colleagues. Moreover, pupils enrolled in these schools will start their scholastic year on Friday 25 September not Monday 28 September, as will be the case for the rest of the student population.

In real terms, would not such a move result in the disruption of family plans? Would it not add stress if families have long planned their holidays together? Would it not be a case of discrimination against these families? It would not be out of place to ask whether sensitivity and understanding of human factors should always be at the forefront of decision-making, especially in a Christian environment.

I am confident that our Archbishop, if aware of these proposals, will not allow such an incongruous situation to develop. The needs and priorities of family life in modern society is core to the responsibility of the Good Shepherd. As our primary pastoral carer, Archbishop Cremona is more than acquainted with the fact, “The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life” (Gaudiem et spes).

Alex Camilleri

SWIEQI