Editorial

So the Church in Malta is preparing to move. There has been enough talk now. It is one thing to talk, of course, and another thing to take action. Men and women are by their nature just as eager to have their say as to go home and forget they have said it.

More often than not those who have spoken are challenged by being entrusted with their idealistic projections. And time tells how difficult it is to change anybody but oneself.

However, the Church in Malta has been at it for a long time, between 1999 and 2003, and appears to have been quite seriously engaged up and down the ranks. The Church at large is always in need of improvement, it keeps on reminding us, and it could not but be that the Church here would have a good look at itself and see how it could improve.

Hence the Diocesan Synod. An honest appraisal of the situation, a searching application of think-tank agenda, a culling of suggestions from the best heads at the right places and, eventually, a graphic X-ray and blueprints were prepared. The spade work had been done with as wide an input as possible.

Now is the time to move into a different kind of action, to see that the Synod's decisions are actually implemented in the Diocese as a whole.

Synod coordinator Fr Joe Galea Curmi, announcing a plan for action, told the press the other day the projects to be carried out over this year and the next are based mainly on six priorities: Enlivening the faith, celebration of the Sunday Eucharist, formation according to the guidelines of the Synod, with particular attention to the family as well as adolescents and youths, a way of life in the spirit of the Synod, dialogue in society and social commitment.

An institute for pastoral formation, based at the Catholic Institute, in Floriana, is being set up with the purpose of coordinating all activities promoted by the archdiocese.

Several activities are being planned in parishes, aimed at improving the celebration of the Sunday Mass... at long last, many would add. Later this year a census of Mass attendance will be held but attendance is not everything. One would have to focus on the quality of the attendance and the quality of the delivery.

Sunday Mass is not only a central obligation and witness of religiosity but a bone of contention with over-familiarity, boredom, repetitions and re-takes. There is scope for creativity here too, however always bearing in mind the holy nature of the event.

The ever diminishing number of priests is another problem to be considered for the better application of available human resources and greater participation of the laity.

Other planned programmes are aimed at strengthening the family, both through an improvement in the courses of preparation for marriage and the care of families within the parish, especially with support for separated couples.

Special attention will be directed at adolescents and youth, where problems and opportunities abound. Several initiatives will seek their greater participation in parish life.

To be addressed too are culture - and a commission has just been set up - with a Christian inspiration, promotion of human life, ethical problems in the light of scientific developments, support for people with special difficulties and support for those on the fringes of society.

As pastoral secretary Fr Charles Cordina, said, the Synod gives vision and direction for future pastoral action.