The President’s speech

I have finally tracked down what must be the last copy of the beautiful book produced to mark the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Malta in April 2010.

Clearly this book was a total sell-out among the faithful Maltese Catholic population. Either that or some anti-Catholics went around buying them up and burning them!

In particular I commend to one and all the welcoming address given by President George Abela. He spoke so admirably and passionately on behalf of the Maltese people, recognising the Catholicity of his country and the faith he shares with so many of his fellow countrymen. He was not afraid to express his faith in the face of ardent secularism, something which he roundly condemned and indeed the force which, not surprisingly, most vehemently found fault with what he said. Indeed the President had every right to say what he did.

Had he been speaking only for a minority of people one might understand the opposition of the very few who objected. But when he was speaking on behalf of what is a great Catholic country, one could not expect the head of state to ignore that fact, nor the Pontiff himself.

I encourage others to read the full text of the speech, and indeed the whole book, to relive this great event in their hearts and to be proud of their Christian heritage and the important place Malta has in the history of the Christian faith across Europe.

Just recently we celebrated the feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck and the mention of Paul’s own visit to these beautiful islands. Let us hope that, whatever may happen in Malta, the people may never lose their great faith in God!