David Schembri
Stress on the Pope's teachings
Preparations for Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to Malta are in full swing, as the Church gears up to integrate the run-up to the papal visit with Lent, which starts today.
Various commissions, namely those dealing with youth, children and the laity, will be promoting the Pope and his teachings throughout activities held prior to his visit on April 17 and 18.
Martin Chetcuti, speaking about the activities targeting young people, said the aim was not only to attract practising Catholics but also young people who felt distant from the Church. The activities for young people, the crux of which will be an activity at Valletta Waterfront, are similar to the World Youth Day activities, which are at times criticised for having an element of Pope-worship.
When confronted about such comments and the Church's intention to reach out to people distant from the Church, Fr Savio Vella, the Archbishop's delegate for young people, said the ultimate aim was not to promote the Pope but Jesus.
To this end, the Diocesan Youth Commission will be holding talks at the University, the Junior College and rehabilitation centres where they will be talking to young people about faith-related issues and about the contents of the Pope's teachings. During these talks, free copies of the Pontiff's book, Jesus of Nazareth, will be distributed.
Asked about the Facebook group No to Pope Benedict XVI in Malta, initiated by former Alternattiva Demokratika candidate and gay rights activist Patrick Attard, Fr Vella said that, while they encouraged dialogue with whoever had problems with the Church, the latter would not be taking a militant stance against such initiatives.
A website on the papal visit in Malta, aptly named popemalta.org, was launched yesterday. It updates users on news related to the visit and offers links to pages where people can register for the activities.
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Franco Farrugia
Feb 18th 2010, 18:15
@ James Degiorgio: I see no reason why you should attack Patrick Attard. It shows how little Christian you are, indeed. I think that Patrick is quite couragious, in fact. So, the priest says that the Church will not be taking any militance stance against 'dissenters', Huh! Indeed. It will leave the militance to people like Degiorgio! Indeed, Attard's is no hypocrisy, quite the contrary. He shows the principles that he has.
At the end of the day, Degiorgio can go ahead with his wishes to marginalise people. That will indeed show what kind of Christian he is! And he speaks about hypocrisy! U le!
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Feb 17th 2010, 22:07
There is all there is to learn in the Geneva Bible of 1599.
Popery never got anyone anywhere.
James De Giorgio
Feb 17th 2010, 19:54
Thanks for finally revealing what Alternattiva Demokratika candidates and ex ones stand for.
I say no to Patrick Attard for imposing his marginalising views on us on a person many of us hold dear whilst expecting that people don't marginalise him or others like him.
Hypocrisy that's what it is.
Mbasta live and let live ghidlu l'Patrick Attard
renald williams
Feb 17th 2010, 16:03
We should stress and promote the teaching of Jesus, and free copies of the New Testament of Jesus of Nazareth, should be distributed. Will give free English New Testaments, when receving sms request on 79280325. Trinity Evangelical Christian peace and health.
Il-fidi mela tigi bis-smigh; u s-smigh bil-kelma ta’ Kristu. Rumani 10:17.
Ghax ahna ma niktbulkomx hwejjeg ohra, hlief dak li tistghu taqraw jew tifhmu. 2 Korintin 1:13.
Bhal ma ktibt qabel fi ftit kliem, Li bihom, meta taqraw, tistghu tifhmu. Efesin 3:3-4.
U meta tinqara minnkom din l-epistola, qisu li tinqara fil-knisja tal-Laodikin ukoll; u li intom ukoll taqraw l-epistola ta’ Laodikija [1 Tessalonkin]. Kolossin 4:16.
Nitlobkom bil-Mulej li din l-epistola tinqara lill-ahwa… kollha. 1 Tessalonkin 5:27.
Ghax hajja hi l-kelma t’Alla, u qawwija. Lhud 4:12.
Permezz tal-kelma t’Alla hajja, u li tibqa’ ghal dejjem… kelmet il-Mulej iddum ghal dejjem. 1 Pietru 1:23, 25.
Imbierek min jaqra, u dawk li jisimghu l-kliem… li huma miktubin. Rivelazzjoni [bil-Grieg Apokalissi] 1:3.