Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi has called on the Maltese people to focus not only on the historic victories commemorated on Victory Day but also on the moral and social "victories" that Malta must strive to achieve today.

Delivering his homily at St John's Co-Cathedral on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the bishop said that while the nation rightly honours the victories of the Great Siege and other defining moments in Maltese history, the occasion should also prompt reflection on the challenges facing modern society.

"Today's victories are not against some foreign enemy laying siege to our country," he said. "They are victories within Maltese society, victories that we must achieve through the choices we make in our lives."

Bishop Galea-Curmi outlined five key areas in which Malta must work towards victory.

He began by emphasising the victory of life over what he described as the culture of death, stressing that every human life should be welcomed, protected and valued from conception until natural death. He warned that society is diminished when it begins to judge the worth of human life according to age, health, productivity or convenience.

The bishop also highlighted the victory of truth over lies, expressing concern that despite unprecedented access to communication, distinguishing truth from falsehood has become increasingly difficult. He said that dishonesty and perjury should never become normalised, adding that genuine trust is built through integrity rather than rhetoric.

Addressing public life, Bishop Galea-Curmi called for the victory of integrity over corruption, describing corruption as a scourge that weakens the moral fabric of society. Quoting Pope Leo XIV, he said corruption is wrong whether or not it is ever exposed, and urged both public officials and citizens to place the common good before personal gain while resisting organised crime and unethical practices.

Environmental stewardship was another major theme of the homily. The bishop appealed for the victory of care for creation over environmental destruction, warning that Malta's natural landscape has suffered significant damage. He said future generations deserve to inherit a country that is healthier, more sustainable and free from irreversible environmental harm.

The fifth challenge he identified was the victory of vulnerable people over marginalisation. He said the strength of a nation is measured not by the wealth of its most prosperous citizens but by the care shown to those most in need, including both Maltese nationals and foreigners. He also referred to recent power outages as an example of how crises disproportionately affect vulnerable members of society.

Reflecting on the title of Our Lady of Victories, Bishop Galea-Curmi said it should not be understood as a celebration of war but of Mary's faith and obedience to God. He described her acceptance of God's will at the Annunciation and her steadfastness beneath the Cross as the Gospel's true model of victory.

"The victory that the Gospel offers us," he said, "is the victory of love over hatred, of truth over deceit, of justice over selfishness, of peace over conflict, of hope over despair, and of life over death."

Concluding his homily, the bishop prayed for wisdom for the country's leaders and called on the nation to remain committed to protecting human life, promoting truth and integrity, caring for the environment, and supporting vulnerable people.

He said Malta's future depends on the choices made today, urging citizens to build a society where "light may triumph over darkness."