The Jesuits have added their voices to the chorus of disapproval over the use of land in an outside development zone for a new university at Żonqor Point.
Referring to the university as “yet another massive construction project”, the Jesuits applauded the “rising ecological consciousness that is capable of breathing new life into Malta’s social and political scene”.
The Jesuits said they join all those who maintain that promoting a healthy quality of life for Maltese families and protecting the natural environment should take priority over even the most advantageous short-term gains, whether in the south or anywhere else.
“The Maltese government has rolled out the red carpet to accommodate the foreign business concern behind the American University of Malta.
The government has deployed its entire communications apparatus to persuade the public to endorse the project. We must ask who truly stands to benefit
“It has deployed its entire communications apparatus to convince the public to endorse the project at Żonqor Point… [but] we must ask who truly stands to benefit,” said Jesuit Provincial Patrick Magro.
The Jesuits said they supported further and focused investment in the education of Malta’s young people and in the creation of sustainable employment opportunities but urged the government to invest in local educational, so “no child or young person is left behind”.
The order also called on the government to protect natural open spaces that are vital to the public well-being. Expressing their dismay at the involvement of a Catholic American university in supplying a curriculum to the project, the Jesuits said: “As a Catholic religious order committed to quality all-round education, we regret that Chicago’s De Paul University should be associated with a project that shows scarce regard for a vast, prime, natural open space on Malta’s southern coast.”
The Jesuits said all attempts by the government to justify the selection of the site earmarked for the project seem diametrically opposed to that very Catholic value of care for creation.