‘Our traditions mean we can be bridge for faiths’
President George Abela, who turned 65 yesterday, sharing a joke with Archbishop Paul Cremona at the feast of St Publius in Floriana which kicks off a summer of village feasts. Photo: Paul Zammit Cutajar
Malta should uphold its tradition, dating back thousands of years, of being a bridge in the triangle of peace between Christianity, Judaism and Islam, President George Abela said yesterday.
The country has always been a centre of these different faiths in the Mediterranean, he said, highlighting the “sense of belief” its people have had throughout history.
In the context of discussions on clauses of the Constitution that made Malta a “confessional state”, the President said “this culture, belief and history must be kept alive”. It gave the Maltese their identity and stamp, he said.
Dr Abela was speaking at the annual reception held by the Vilhena Philharmonic Society of Floriana on the occasion of the feast of St Publius, which marks the start of the season of religious feasts in Malta.
The President, who celebrated his 65th birthday yesterday, expressed his pleasure at the news of the replacement of the tents in the Ħal Far open centre by prefabricated units so the immigrants Malta welcomed would live in “decent homes”.
The main characteristic of the Maltese was their “big heart”, he said, urging them not to throw away their identity in the belief that they would find a new one, without knowing what it would be.
“We need to retain the solid and concrete principles that make us Maltese,” Dr Abela appealed.
The reception, which was attended by various dignitaries, was also addressed by Archbishop Paul Cremona and the band club’s president, Chris Vella.
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Alfred John
Apr 24th 2012, 10:19
Alfred J. McEwen
Why should this country be a `bridge` for any type of religion ? Malta is predominantly Christian and that`s the way it should stay and I`m pretty sure that the population will agree with that..and if not what`ll be next ,,a bridge for Sharia law ??
Jeremy N Grech
Apr 24th 2012, 13:32
Sorry but I strongly disagree. In a supposed democratic free minded modern non-discriminative country where main Religion preaches equality, there is no existent reason why the minorities and minor believes shouldn't be given an equal say to the major ones. Secondly, Christianity isn't the Maltese Religion, it's the Religion of a HIGH PERCENTAGE of the Maltese population and NOT all the Maltese. It is everyone's right to practice his or her own believes as long as there is no direct harm or damage to others.
Gerry Cowie
Apr 23rd 2012, 20:24
Beware certain humanists who declare that all religions are trouble!
Jeremy N Grech should realise that atheism and agnosticism are not "beliefs" but lack of them!
Jeremy N Grech
Apr 24th 2012, 13:17
Mr Cowie, a disbelief in something is still a belief. One doesn't have to be Religious and / or have faith to be part of one particular belief, a belief can be one which simply consists on scepticism, science facts or even nothing at all. Everyone has his own belief, you don't have to be part of a Religion to have one.
Henry S Pace
Apr 23rd 2012, 18:07
' ‘Our traditions mean we can be bridge for faiths’ '
It quite a contradiction coming from the Head of State. He did not hesitate to give his Assent to the Divorce Act.
Jeremy N Grech
Apr 23rd 2012, 15:10
Why weren't atheism and agnosticism mentioned in the list of believes? Very peaceful indeed Fr Cremona.
Francis Grech
Apr 23rd 2012, 14:23
What a lot of boloney as if other country's give a dam what tiny Malta stand's for why not first get a grip of what is happening in Malta and it's poor people
J Degabriele
Apr 23rd 2012, 11:37
"Malta should uphold its tradition, dating back thousands of years, of being a bridge in the triangle of peace between Christianity, Judaism and Islam"
When was this? During the times of the Order of St.John when Malta was a thorn in the side of the Islamic Turks? Or when the Jews were expelled from Malta and Sicily during the last part of the 15th century? Or maybe during the time of the Inquisition? These are historical facts. Let's not sentimentalize our history! We were and are no better or worse than others!!
Joe Grech
Apr 23rd 2012, 13:58
@ J. Degabriele - I agree with your comment. Nothing wrong in Wishful Thinking though!
Jonathan Camilleri
Apr 23rd 2012, 11:13
Dr. Abela seems to be in favour of globalisation, and, I hope he is successful in meeting his ends. The Maltese proverb says "Ix-xoghol hu is-salmura tal-gisem", avolja jien naqra ghazzien :)
Emma Xerri
Apr 24th 2012, 05:11
Of course he is in favour of globalisation. Why do you think they have loaded the illegal immigrants here? No borders and no frontiers for the flow of people, who will compete with one another in an every decreasing job market, while the power elites (vide picture) can live high of the hog.
Please choose the reason of your report below: