Archbishop berates charity activities linked to prizes

Archbishop Mgr Joseph Mercieca has publicly taken the side of those who are preoccupied about the practice of offering prizes to encourage monetary donations for charity.

Those who wanted to live the Christian value of charity as they should, had to be prepared to express their love for their neighbours without expecting anything in return, he said.

Although Mgr Mercieca (left) did not specify any particular practice of this sort, his remarks might be taken to refer to the various fund-raising events on TV, particularly the campaign L-Istrina, during which many attractive prizes are offered to urge the viewers to phone and donate money to charitable institutions.

Speaking at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta on the occasion of Candlemas on Thursday - commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the Temple - the Archbishop said the Maltese people traditionally assisted those in need without expecting anything in return.

He said various initiatives had found a good backing because they enjoyed the trust and the support of many people who wanted to help without receiving anything back. This example of Christian charity was beautiful in the eyes of God and man.

"I regret to note, however, that in recent years, certain circumstances arose in which the beauty of the Christian value of charity was spoilt by ideas and initiatives that linked charity with the lure of winning all sorts and forms of prizes.

"There is nothing wrong in seeking to be more creative and effective in encouraging people to contribute towards noble causes that reflect real neighbourly love.

"But, I fear that when we link such initiatives to the enticement of winning prizes, we would not be practising the Christian value of charity as we should and we will not be helping the people to live this value as it should be lived," Mgr Mercieca said.

He said Jesus wanted those who had wealth to gladly share it with others, not because they are forced to do so or by being compensated or because one could win some material prize. Jesus wanted assistance to be given in a framework that promoted the dignity of those to whom the assistance is addressed.

Mgr Mercieca expressed the wish that people would not cease to explain to others how they could live the value of charity by words and deed in the various parishes.

"Every member of the parish should be helped to understand that, above all, the parish has to ensure that no one would have their human dignity trampled because of their situation.

"I am happy when I see less money and energy being spent on feasts that end up in smoke, and instead the money is invested in initiatives that benefit members of the community who are suffering hardship or poverty. "The warmth of the love expressed through this assistance to the needy is stronger that that generated by all the fireworks in any feast," he said.