Convention of Maltese emigrants planned

A convention for federations of Maltese emigrants is being planned in Malta in 2010 as a result of the Archbishop’s recent trip to Australia, where he visited Maltese emigrants and attended the 23rd World Youth Day events.

The convention is being organised by the Emigrants’ Commission and should group Maltese living in Australia, Canada, the US and the UK, according to Fr Savio Vella, the Archbishop’s delegate for youth.

There is also a plan for an exchange visit between youths, possibly before the convention, or at the same time.

Archbishop Paul Cremona said that in Australia he was impressed by the respect which the Maltese enjoy among the civil and ecclesiastical authorities.

He said he was also impressed by the hardship which the first Maltese migrants had gone through, especially as many id not speak English and were shunned by others because of the colour of their skin.

But in spite of their suffering, they won over Australian society and earned its respect.

Archbishop Cremona said the Maltese in Australia were still strongly connected to the roots of their faith and culture and young people had a renewed interest to learn about their roots, even if they did not speak Maltese.