It is only the Risen Christ that can help people triumph over evil, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca said yesterday in his New Year's Eve homily during Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta.

Referring to Pope John Paul's New Year message, Mgr Mercieca said no person of goodwill could give up in the fight between right and wrong. "This fight can only be fought effectively through love," he said, adding that when good wins, love reigns and this is accompanied by peace.

Mgr Mercieca said the Pope's New Year Message condemned racism and highlighted the protection of minors, help for refugees and the mobilisation of international solidarity. The Archbishop said this is applicable to Malta especially in today's situation.

"The Maltese people should listen to the Pope's appeal," he said.

He said the fact that a baby is conceived entitles it to rights, care and attention and somebody is in duty bound to ensure that this is the case.

The Archbishop said that Christ's victory over death shows that there is a lot of good in the world and that good always defeats evil. He said we have to thank God for this. The Pope, he added, is inviting people to reflect on the need to triumph over evil.

Mgr Mercieca said that we are constantly surrounded by political and social evils such as social disorder, war, injustice, violence and murder.

He quoted the Pope as saying that for there to be peace in the world the human family urgently needs to preserve its common heritage of moral values. The Pope spoke about the common values and principles that bring people together despite their different cultures. Mgr Mercieca said this universal moral law does not change. It needs an ever-increasing commitment and responsibility which ensures that people's lives are respected and improved.