Kurt Bugeja Coster
Some still clueless about date of the Pontiff's visit
Some people were still clueless about the date when the Pope will be visiting Malta, despite the heavy publicity hitting the media in the past weeks.
Launching a series of promotional spots which will be broadcast on all local television stations, the Archbishop's Curia spokesman said he still met people who were unaware of the exact date of the visit.
Therefore, one of the spots' two aims was to remind the public of Pope Benedict XVI's arrival on April 17 and departure the next day.
The other aim is to encourage people to take part in the activities organised during the visit, to welcome the pontiff the same way as Saint Paul when he was shipwrecked on the island 1,950 years ago.
One promotional spot is addressed by President George Abela, another by Archbishop Paul Cremona, and the other six are aimed at different sectors of society, ranging from children to the elderly.
The launch took place at the coordination office at the Granaries in Floriana, where a call centre has also been set up to offer information to the public.
Introducing the service, organising committee chairman Charles Bonello said anyone who had any questions related to the Pope's visit could simply call for assistance.
Apart from serving as a one-stop-shop for information, the office also houses government and Curia employees who are working on the ongoing logistical organisations for the visit in three weeks' time.
Mr Bonello said preparations were gaining momentum in the run-up to the event. Loose ends were being tied up and he conceded these took up much more time than the bulk of the organisation.
The office is also working on issuing accreditation to 300 local and foreign journalists and sending invitations to guests.
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osman abulkadir abdulle
Mar 29th 2010, 21:33
HIS holyness the pope will visit malta ,but this is the difficult moment of the roman catholic church ever in our time because of the sex abuse of the priests in the united state and irland
the credibility of the church is almost in danger the pope should do some thing otherwise call people to the right way
Margaret Richards
Mar 28th 2010, 21:09
I agree wholeheartedly. Why is the media being used in such forceful a way to publicize the Pope's visit? Day in day out on the evening news it's a full barrage of repetitive nonsense which totally puts you off the whole farce. One question I would like to ask if I may - why this forceful publicity? What is it that the church hierarchy is afraid of? Perhaps that the visit will not be as successful as expected??? Why should I be told each and every day the route the pope will be taking?.............so much for security issues!!! I don't think that with all their publicity stunts the holier than thou curia hierarchy is realising how much they are undermining security measures!!!
Andy Towler
Mar 28th 2010, 20:01
"The Archbishop's Curia spokesman said he still met people who were unaware of the exact date of the visit."
Maybe they simply aren't interested.
Dr Patrick Attard
Mar 28th 2010, 17:47
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100328/world-news/pope-at-centre-of-child-abuse-storm
Joseph Schembri
Mar 28th 2010, 16:46
Since I was a teenager I always made it a point to escape to Gozo whenever the village festa was around. This time I will escape abroad for a few days. I am religious but I have always hated it when religion is forced down my throat. I find God in little chapels, in country walks, and in the Eucharist. This is just a man chosen by other men (their reasons for doing so remain obscure) and I find it scandalous that so much money is being spent on his one night stay.
J.Bonnici
Mar 28th 2010, 15:49
We have a right not to be forced into these things if we choose not to.