The Good News of the Gospel is there both for those who form part of the Church as well as for those who have left it but are searching for the truth, the Maltese bishops said.
In a pastoral letter for Lent entitled 'To whom shall we go?' Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo bishop Mario Grech said the Church must not only act as a teacher but also as a mother.
"As a mother she has to have love and pity and open doors to everyone; whereas as a teacher she has to teach the truth, rebuke errors, correct faults and give instruction for right living."
The bishops said that notwithstanding the increased learning opportunities, man "is becoming confused in the way he lives", citing the lack of happiness, injustice, poverty, quarrelling, broken marriages, new orphans and pornography as proof of this.
"We have become so unable to understand and evaluate what is happening around us, we have become so confused, that some are becoming disheartened (over) being able to pass on to society, and particularly to young people, what is valid and certain, criteria of behaviour and meaningful values which offer peace of mind."
The bishops said that in spite of this situation, man can find solutions through self-examination and learning, as long as he has good teachers. Indeed God is one such teacher: "The ugly realities of our life do not scare or worry God. He knocks for us to let Him in," the bishops said.
They urged parish communities, religious groups and movements to focus on the Word of God, which they described as God's "educational programme".
"First and foremost, He speaks to the heart. He finds exactly where we feel the void, where we are hurt, where we are doubtful, and He then touches us to cure where we are confused, and where we are most weak when faced by vices such as drugs, drink, and games that slowly strip us of dignity."
They recommended that the faithful attend Lenten talks, retreats, read the Word of God, fast, and perform charitable acts.
The full text of the letter may be viewed at http://maltadiocese.org/.