Gozo Bishop speaks of new types of poverty

Christians had to "get used to being a minority" these days, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said during his Christmas Mass.

"When Jesus was born, there were three kinds of people who were living in darkness," he said. Among these, faithful Jews were dwindling and Mary and Joseph were part of the few who still believed God's promises would be fulfilled.

Mgr Grech drew a parallel between the faithful in those days and those "living in today's difficult environment", saying that, however, "they shouldn't let the darkness discourage them, even when difficulties crop up within the Church itself".

The Bishop also said new types of poverty were being created. "There are individuals and families who are finding it difficult to carry certain financial burdens - at times enforced by laws - even for essential things," Mgr Grech said.