That religion is being given less value or prominence seems to be part of a global trend rather than something which is specific to Maltese society, Reverend Professor Carl-Mario Sultana said.

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Rev. Professor Sultana remarked that such trends seem to be less prevalent in Malta due to Maltese society's "enigmatic" nature, but he commented that many other countries have gone through the apparent shift already, "and it would be a pity for us if we do not look at these countries and see what we can learn from them - not to prevent, but to help people feel at ease, even in these situations".

Sultana is the outgoing head of the Department at the University of Malta's Department of Pastoral Theology, Liturgy and Canon Law. He also occupies the position of president of the Équipe Européenne de Catéchèse, which the UoM describes as "an association that brings together those responsible for catechesis in European countries and professionals engaged in catechesis across Europe, including directors of academic institutes, catechetical formation centres and experts in the field".

Malta is an overwhelmingly Christian country, with Catholicism being the officially recognised state religion, but it is also an increasingly secular state. In a previous interview conducted by The Malta Independent, anthropologist Ranier Fsadni had stated that for many Maltese people, Catholicism was no longer considered part of the Maltese identity in practice.

Prof. Sultana said that the process of secularisation is what is contributing to such trends. He described secularisation as "an evolution where there is a separation between the Church and the State" and further remarked that this is wanted in Malta, "but it is still there".

The theology academic was asked how, in the context of such trends, he responds to those who argue that religious beliefs are "archaic".

He said that whether or not religious beliefs are considered archaic depends on the society. He continued that in the case of Malta, Maltese society is becoming more "dilute", which he said is something positive and helps even those who are locals to "filter themselves out".

He explained that new ideas help distinguish between those who are firmly convinced in their faith and those who have found themselves in religion "without knowing why they are there". Sultana commented that some beliefs may seem archaic to those who have found themselves involved in religion without knowing why they are there, but that "things will be totally different" for those who are convinced.

Prof. Sultana noted that Catholicism in Malta today is very different from what it was 30 to 50 years ago. "Our society is so cosmopolitan, mixed, that I cannot just impose my ideas... Today the Catholic Church does not impose, does not indoctrinate, but it teaches its own views on subjects."

He was asked for his thoughts on the argument that religious beliefs or views are archaic in the context of social issues such as euthanasia and abortion, where religion is often cited as the reason for opposing what others would argue are progressive ideas.

"It depends on how one looks at religion," he responded, "I think religion and belief has a space in this discussion. It has a space because the principles are there, and in my opinion, the principles are good; but we still need to discuss." He continued that it is a problem if religion is imposing, and added that the society of today is one made up of discussion. "It's made up of me listening to you, and you listening to me, and us respecting each other's opinions. That is what makes religion relevant... We may not agree totally, but we can still live together."

Rev. Prof. Sultana said that the Church gets labelled as "archaic" because it is not, and "cannot" be, a democratic institution. He remarked that while the Church is not democratic, it is also not a dictatorship, and is based on principles which cannot change. "The whole idea of religion is freedom. I cannot be forced to believe, and I cannot force others to believe."

He likened the Church to other types of clubs or associations, as he spoke of how such associations have regulations - some which certain members may like and some which they do not, but ultimately being a member of such an association means you adhere to those regulations.

"We have to look at the Church in that way, but with the Church it is also not a question of in or out. The idea of gradualism in the faith is very important; otherwise we'd be cutting all the people out. So, the idea of in and out is archaic. Today, we have a progressive idea of society, and this is also what God wants, not what we decide," Sultana said.

"Jesus took this progressive view. He met with everybody, invited everybody - and there are those who accepted and those who did not... Even the person at the periphery is important to Jesus," Sultana remarked, as he continued that condemning others is something he considers archaic and added that the focus should instead be on respecting people's positions and offering support where possible.

Continuing on that point, he said that the work conducted by educators at the University of Malta is in that same spirit. He said that people learn at different rates and on different levels, but he remarked that assisting those who face initial difficulty is what evokes the most satisfaction by overcoming the odds.

According to the latest information published by the University of Malta, the Faculty of Theology had the smallest student cohort out of all the faculties at 119 enrolled students. With that in mind, Sultana was asked if this statistic could be indicative of trending shifts within Maltese society with regard to religion.

"It is," he replied, as he went on to explain how the Faculty of Theology was one of the founding faculties of the University of Malta alongside the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law. He commented that theology is sui generis meaning it is less diversified when compared to the courses offered by other faculties and therefore much more specific. With that said, he spoke of how what is taught at the Faculty of Theology is moving towards "applied theology", rather than what most people think of as "speculative theology".

Some years ago, ethics was introduced into certain school curricula as an alternative for parents who preferred to opt their children out of religion classes. Since then, the subject has steadily gained traction and growing interest among students. With Malta being a secular country, one might argue that ethics should be the standard subject in schools rather than religion, and so Sultana was asked for his thoughts on the matter.

He responded that he thinks both ethics and religion are important, as he spoke of how both ethics and religion aim to give students a "way to work things out in life" and "to make choices", with religion doing so from a particular point of view. He said that the idea of religious education has developed into one that is no longer that of indoctrination, but that of trying to understand the society in which we live, "and the society in which we live now is no longer the traditionally Catholic one it once was which is why I believe ethics should be part of the school curriculum."

Speaking further on that point, Prof. Sultana remarked that being in Malta does not mean being Catholic, and so he thinks ethics should be provided as an option because people have a right to be helped to make choices even if they are not Catholic. Furthermore, he said that having ethics as non-competing with religious education is "even far better", as he said this is already the case in some independent schools where ethics and religious education are both taught for those who opt to take both subjects.

"Religious education cannot be imposed, but if you are living in a Maltese society, for example in summer, and you are seeing all these feasts and fireworks and all these decorations, then getting to know why they are there as a form of civic education will help you also to integrate better. It doesn't mean you have to become Catholic," Sultana commented.

He added that religious education is not meant solely to make students Catholic; rather, its purpose is to help them understand the society they live in and to understand why things are the way they are. For those who are Catholic and want to live these values, religious education is an added value and helps them to live their faith in a more holistic way.

Sultana noted that religious education as a subject in school is different from catechesis in settings such as museums or parishes, where he said in those settings it is "geared at giving the faith" but in the case of schools it is "geared at giving more knowledge, which helps you to believe better, or else to understand the situation or context in which you are living in if you don't believe".