Numerous proposals are being drafted at the moment to introduce greater transparency on an international level, in the financial services sector. The proposals include arrangements by which government agencies have access to information assembled by the agencies of other governments concerning the funds that individuals and companies dispose of.

There can be no objection to this where tax evasion, the laundering of funds obtained illegally (such as from the drug trade or corruption) or funds earmarked for terrorist activities are being targeted. Measures that ensure transparency on these grounds should be immediately implemented, without any reservations.

Even so, there might be legitimate reasons why an individual would wish to keep private the methods by which he/she carries out personal financial transactions.

One could query: do we have to worry about the privacy rights of the wealthy?

I wonder how it would be possible to make a distinction between the rights toprivacy of the wealthy and the less wealthy.

In fact, there should be a discussion about whether this can be, or need be done.

But I do not think there has been enough of it.

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The Pope and abortion

Pope Francis’ decision to declassify abortion as a sin for which only bishops could grant absolution is an important milestone. It follows from the argument that he has been making for quite some time, about how the callsigns of the Christian faith should be based on the need to show mercy, forgiveness and tolerance across the board. The emphasis has to be on inclusion not exclusion.

When I was an adolescent, Pope John XXIII gave a heartening signal about how Christian charity should open new horizons for solidarity between and among nations.

Later, others led the Catholic Church with a discipline or with an intellectual ability superior to his.

None of them however – except for today’s Jesuit Pope – showed such commitment for Catholics to be at the forefront in defending the poor, the forgotten and the despairing.

May Pope Francis succeed in his endeavours.

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Schulz

The decision taken by Martin Schulz to leave the European Parliament did not come as a surprise. The EPP, grouping MEPs of the centre-right, was refusing to vote for him as President for the second two years and a half of the European Parliament’s current mandate.

In past months, Schulz’s name had been mentioned as German Foreign Minister to replace Frank-Walter Steinmeier when the latter becomes President of Germany. Or even as candidate for German Chancellor on behalf of the democratic socialists. What now is clear is that he will definitely contest the German national elections.

Schulz will be leaving behind him a legacy of important achievements for the European Parliament. He gave it a profile it never had before. He changed the presidency of the Parliament from one that was close to the Speaker’s role in Anglo-Saxon parliaments (Malta’s included), to an active political role. He harnessed support from European media for his initiatives. Thanks to Schulz, the European Parliament achieved a voice that was followed all over Europe.

However meanwhile, quite likely the European Parliament’s position continued to weaken in the balance between European institutions.