A Mass led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Maltese Parliament was held this morning at St. John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta. The congregation was led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Anġlu Farrugia, and by members of parliament from both sides of the House.

During the homily, the Archbishop said that the members of parliament, who are the representatives of the Maltese people, are “the voice, the heart and the conscience of the people. This is a great responsibility and the discussions between you must be a response to the people's thirst for good, for truth, for good, for justice.”

“I invite you to cherish in our hearts these two verbs that the Word of God presents to us today providentially as it is being read in all churches around the world on the 31st Sunday of the year: 'listen' and love'”, the Archbishop said.

He added how important it is to be an example of civilization for the people in their dialogue and behaviour towards colleagues and political opponents.

He also hoped that the legislation they discuss and approve would always be for the common good and not to defend a particular or party interest.

The Archbishop also wished that the Maltese Parliament would have a long life as well as that there would be future generations who would give their lives “for the service of the people and that in making laws they would seek not the particular or partisan interest but the interest and for the good of all”.

“My appeal is also to raise generations of true servants who give their lives as you do, at the service of the people and who in making the laws seek not the particular or partisan interest but the interest and the good for all,” the Archbishop said.