Auxiliary Bishop of Malta Joseph Galea-Curmi concluded his homily during the Mass marking the inauguration of the 15th Legislature, held on Saturday, 20 June 2026, at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, with a powerful message. I will reproduce his words in full and then share my reflections below.
Moral responsibility
"Those entrusted with the responsibility of making laws, therefore, carry a great moral burden. Laws are not merely instruments of administration. They express what a society considers valuable. They shape culture, educate consciences, and influence future generations. Every law must therefore be measured against a fundamental question: to what extent does it truly protect and promote the dignity of the human person?
As this new Parliament begins its work, while we extend our best wishes to all its members, we pray that they may be of strong character, guided by wisdom, and work so that integrity may triumph over corruption, truth over falsehood, respect over hatred, dialogue over division, service over selfish ambition, and conviction over convenience. We pray also that the protection of the dignity of every human life may always remain at the centre of our national life.
Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten our minds, purify our intentions, strengthen our hearts, and renew our country."
In my view, this is a message that deserves to be disseminated widely across all media platforms and repeated until it reaches those who, for various reasons, remain detached from and disillusioned with politics.
With regard to the first question, which is both important and highly relevant, there are no straightforward or definitive answers. The individual must remain at the heart of every decision-making process. However, this does not mean that empathy and other key considerations should be absent from legislation. On the contrary, legislation must continue to reflect and respond to the needs and realities of an evolving society.
Politics is certainly not a dirty word, nor can all politicians be judged by the same standard. Undoubtedly, some have severely tarnished the political arena through their actions, and it will take time to restore public trust and repair the damage caused. However, this should not overshadow the many individuals, from across the political spectrum, who serve the common good with integrity and dedication. Nor should it discourage others with genuine and positive intentions from entering public life and contributing constructively to society.
The six values highlighted by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi - integrity, truth, respect, dialogue, service, and conviction - are essential qualities for any parliamentarian seeking to fulfil their role successfully.
These values are not the exclusive preserve of any institution; rather, they represent the minimum standards that every elected representative should uphold. When a parliamentarian fails to meet any of these standards, the only honourable course of action is to acknowledge the mistake, accept responsibility, and step down from office. Parliamentarians are regarded as role models within society and, as such, cannot be permitted to relinquish their responsibilities once they leave the House of Representatives. Ministers and junior ministers, by virtue of their positions, carry even greater responsibilities. All elected representatives remain accountable to the people they serve.
The questions posed by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi cut deep, figuratively speaking, without the benefit of any anaesthetic. Yet, once the solemnity and pageantry of the Mass have passed, the crucial question remains: will our parliamentarians rise to the challenge and respond to the call issued by the Auxiliary Bishop, or will his words simply fade into the background, as so many others have before them?
One final observation from my end concerns the amount of prime-time coverage that politicians receive on the national media, especially when Malta's religion is firmly entrenched in the Constitution:
2(1) The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion.
(2) The authorities of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and which are wrong.
(3) Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith shall be provided in all State schools as part of compulsory education.
In this context, the authorities of the Roman Catholic Church may wish to reflect on the challenges facing the Church before our places of worship become increasingly empty, except during pageants, feast celebrations, and other village festivities.
Maltese society is rapidly becoming more cosmopolitan, bringing with it significant social and cultural changes. The Church, like other institutions, must engage with these realities if it wishes to remain relevant and meaningful to future generations.
Church authorities need to engage with modern media platforms more regularly and communicate their messages clearly and decisively with society.
Gejtu Vella
People & Industrial Relations Consultant