Fiona Galea Debono
Party to the beat of the Pope
It took Pope Benedict XVI's presence in Malta and his meeting with youths at Valletta Waterfront to show drug addicts in rehabilitation they could have fun and party without drugs.
"This is such a great feeling; it is so satisfying and I am so happy," said 43-year-old Frans Frendo, who has been a substance abuser for 13 years and is only now "learning how to live".
He was among 60 junkies from various Caritas programmes and at differing stages of rehabilitation that attended the Pope's successful encounter with youths.
Many felt they would be helped by yesterday's experience when they walked away from the event.
An enthusiastic John Cassar, 31, has been in San Blas for two months, following 13 years of heroin addiction. Cheering the Pope, he said "he means a lot to me.
"The fact that the head of the Catholic Church is here is important to me; it is an honour that he came to Malta. He is the Word of God and I want to hear his message," said the man who has only been clean for three months.
The atmosphere at the waterfront made him feel good because he was experiencing having fun without using drugs, as well as being spiritual - something he had lost due to his addiction. The Pope was rekindling these feelings in him again, he continued.
"I am happy without drugs. They left me in a corner and alone; I just existed," he said as he danced to the hymns for the Pope, admitting he abandoned religion when he was taking drugs.
"We never believed in God but we do now that we joined Caritas's rehabilitation programme."
Joseph Demicoli, 28, who has been in and out of prison, following 13 years of heroin addiction that led to debts and crime, never misses Mass since he joined the rehabilitation programme. "When things go wrong, I go to Church and pray to God."
Another 25-year-old addict, who has been on heroin since he was 14, said he never imagined he would attend a religious event when he was doing drugs. Looking around him, he said the experience was teaching him how to appreciate life more and what a healthy life was like.
"I will gain happiness out of this event. I am with positive, clean people - something I never experienced."
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Joe Zammit
Apr 19th 2010, 23:23
The subject-matter is the warm welcome the Maltese and Gozitan youths have given to the Pope. Let daydreamers tal-frejjeg waste their own time, not ours!
While we heartily thank all those who have organized everything for the smooth running of the Pope's visit among us, we must not forget others who work day in day out in the formation of mature Christians. Caritas is one of them.
It's so consoling to know how young people, once drawn in vice, have succeeded to get out of it and return to Jesus with open hearts. Their conversion has been sincere for their own good and for the good of the whole Catholic Church.
We are all delighted to know that they have started going to church again, attending Mass and receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Besides Caritas, there are other lay Catholic organizations which are playing an important role in the mature formation of Catholic laypeople.
renald williams
Apr 19th 2010, 19:51
if you read the book of Jesus, you have the word of God, and need no religious temples... peace and health to all and lots of God speed... u ismu (Jesus) kien Il-Kelma t’Alla. Rivalazzjoni/Apokalissi 19:4 Alla ma jghammarx f’tempji maghmulin bl-idejn. Atti 7:48; 17:24.
Wilfred L Camilleri
Apr 19th 2010, 20:08
Mr. Williams you can interpret the Bible the way you want and let others understand it the way they want. Religious temples have always been part of religion, from the days before Jesus Christ in the form of Synagogues till now. Religious temples are where people (the Church) meets to glorify God. Even Jesus Christ went to temples to preach the Word of God!
Carmel Gatt
Apr 19th 2010, 15:43
The inclusion of the word "junkies" in this article was inappropriate and somewhat callous, although I am sure that the journalist did not use it in this way. It is a word often used by those who want to denigrate and demean those unfortunate individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse. However, the article has much else to commend.
Joseph Grech
Apr 19th 2010, 12:59
Caritas and other groups are doing sterling work helping drug addicts holistically. Society needs to thank them while encouraging (and supporting) those hit hard to try to get over their habits.
May I here inquire if it is indeed true that Drug Users can go to collect free syringes but are not requested to return the used syringes to the authorities? I personally think that if this is indeed the case it is certainly an irresponsible one.
It may explain why used syringes are quite often seen in streets and other places used by people, including the young and visitors.
Surely it makes sense to collect the used syringes for efficient disposal by the authorities. Could somebody from the HEATH DEPARTMENT / Caritas etc please comment about this problem?
I am not inventing things. Together with a friend I saw syringes lying beneath a pavement NEAR A SCHOOL!
DO WE CARE OR NOT?