With the improvement in weather conditions, Malta braces itself for the predictable flood of immigrants that shows no sign of abatement.
The majority of the Maltese feel threatened by this new situation and the already overstretched security forces are faced with an unprecedented challenge. Living and/or coping with numerous immigrants from diverse cultures and nationalities, who may appear to be the same because of the colour of their skin, is no mean task.
Thankfully, most leaders and opinion formers rightly urge their fellow Maltese to live up to their professed Christian values.
It is, therefore, timely and refreshing that the bishops have made a clear and unequivocal statement upholding the fundamental human rights of one and all and demanding that solutions should be the fruit of sincere dialogue that respects the truth.
Unfortunately, the truth has been distorted by those who prey on the ignorance and fears of the population and relish confrontation, seeking to make political capital out of a sad situation that is intractable and beyond the control and direct responsibility of any Maltese government.
The sweeping comments by Martin Degiorgio, on behalf of the Republican National Alliance, are unhelpful. He conveniently chooses to overlook the root causes that give rise to this phenomenon and ignores the unjust predicament of the immigrants.
Although his group avoids the vicious, hateful and vitriolic rhetoric resorted to by the extreme right, Mr Degiorgio's attitude risks promoting prejudice and intolerance. In portraying repatriation as the main solution to immigration, Mr Degiorgio betrays a very superficial awareness of what is going on. Forceful repatriation of people who escape persecution and famine goes against any principle of common decency. The history of mankind has enough disgraceful and reprehensible chapters in this regard.
Repatriation is only morally acceptable when safety and security can be assured. This is something governments at times appear to be remarkably and callously indifferent to.
Admittedly, as a small outpost of the EU, Malta faces a disproportionate burden in this sad situation. However, solidarity should be the essence of any public discourse. Malta is part of the world and one cannot pretend to live in isolation. Throughout its history, Malta has always been a multicultural society, a melting pot of diverse nationalities.
The leaders of civil society carry the grave responsibility to give a good example, encourage a humane and positive attitude and, above all, present the whole truth of this phenomenon in all its complexity with fairness and honesty.
Where do we stand? The philosophy of right wing groups is diametrically opposed to our Christian and European values. As clearly expressed by the bishops and the Jesuit provincial, it is intrinsically anti-Christian and offends human dignity.
Meanwhile, as Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi said in a recent interview, "Europe has a moral obligation to solve this problem". He also insists that migration should be regularised as, due to Europe's shrinking populations, Europe needs the influx of such people. In that sense, EU foreign and economic policies that aggravate or ignore the social and political conditions in neighbouring African and Arab countries must be questioned. So many people there face a miserable future and benefit very little if at all from the enormous natural wealth with which so many of their own countries are endowed.
We have to face up to the harsh realities that surround us, fortify our Christian values and strive to address the root causes of world poverty and injustice that force so many able bodied people to leave their countries at such cost, risk and under such harrowing conditions.