Church is duty-bound to spread message

Archbishop Paul Cremona yesterday reiterated that the Church has a duty to spread its message.

He said this included proposing alternatives to how people live, including secularism, but that the Church would not seek to impose its beliefs.

As he unveiled the pastoral plan that outlines the Church's strategy between 2009 and 2011, Mgr Cremona explained that one of the major components will be the pastoral visits through which he will visit all 70 parishes over the next three years.

The pastoral visits aim to ensure that the Archbishop is in touch with the realities faced by parishioners and will also strengthen the main aims laid out in the pastoral plan. These include promoting marriage and the family and having a special place for adolescents and youngsters.

The challenge is to implement the plan in a globalised world where there are cultures of materialism, relativism and consumerism, he said.

Mgr Cremona said it was the Church's duty to spread God's word and propose alternatives to current ways of life. One example he gave was to encourage young people to carry out voluntary work as a form of entertainment apart from going to nightclubs.

"My message is to ensure society does not only hear one voice but is offered the voice of the Church. Then it's up to them to decide whether to listen or not," he said.

Pastoral secretary Charles Cordina and Synod Coordinator Joseph Galea Curmi outlined how the pastoral visits will be divided into three phases.

During the first stage, the Archbishop's delegates will conduct a survey based on a questionnaire in the various parishes and report back to Mgr Cremona to ensure he has a clear idea of the situation. A DVD outlining the aim of the visits will be sent to all parishes.

Secondly, from January 8, Mgr Cremona, will visit individual parishes. His visit will be followed by a report that leads to the third phase where meetings will be held with parish priests to discuss possible improvements.

Fr Cordina explained that since his appointment two years ago Mgr Cremona has carried out 149 visits in 68 parishes, 46 visits to 25 Catholic movements, 51 visits to 29 religious congregations, 44 visits to 35 charity institutions and 91 visits to 58 other places such as offices, band clubs and factories.