Much has been said about the young dropouts from state education system. The root of the problem has been traced back to primary education and poor family background.

Many organizations have spoken out, but I think that nothing or little was heard from the Maltese Church. The Church expresses its opinion on many issues, and rightly so. Yet, on this one, in which the Church has a divine mandate to teach and an indiscriminate commitment of service to others, stood relatively dumb. It seems that, in this issue, the Church in Malta has run dry of the Good Samaritan spirit.

Each year, in its parishes, the Maltese Church blesses the households in its parishes of those who wish to do so. Besides the blessing, the Church gathers a mine of information about the families visited. The Church knows well, who and where, the poor (in all its meaning) are. So, why does the Church not reach out to the poor families who do not sign in their children for lack of funds and know-how, for (the only in Malta) Church schools lottery? 

I heard appeals on the Church media for cakes, cupcakes and toys, so that it would be a truly happy Christmas for needy children. But why does the Church itself not donate scholarships in its schools. If money is the problem, I am sure that many Maltese who are sick and tired of being asked to contribute to the festa, fireworks, “pjancir” (bandstand), “armar” (decorations) and so on all year round, will contribute more than willingly.

I listened to Mgr Charles Scicluna on  Times Talk.  I am pleased that he is not going to shut up or stay put.  I am also pleased that he is going to look into the true reasons why parents want their children in Church schools. Is it because the perception of Church schools is a highway to future earthly successes and once achieved to hell with Catholic values? Do the parents of children who attend Church schools live an exemplary life for their children to follow? Are the Church schools being attended by those who really need them? Is the Church being used and abused? I am sure that Mgr Scicluna will keep to his commitment. I also hope that the infamous Church school lottery is brought to an end.

In this the Year of Mercy, I pray that the Maltese Church shows mercy with these rejects of society. Perhaps the lives of these poor individuals would have taken a different turn if they had been accepted by a Church school? Isn’t better to try to save them young rather than in drug rehab or in prison? 

Michael Agius

St Paul’s Bay