The Assoċjazzjoni Publju ta’ Malta is pleased to learn that the Episcopal Conference, after considering the importance of the biblical text in the Acts of the Apostles referring to Malta, has issued a directive (dated May 10) to all Church administrators in the dioceses of Malta and Gozo, that, henceforth, the first part of the liturgy of the word on the feast of St Paul Shipwreck (February 10) should be read in full.

This means that the reading should include Acts 27, 16 to Acts 28, 10.

The Assoċjazzjoni Publju ta’ Malta appreciates the fact that both Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Bishop Mario Grech are factually leading the local Church in the footsteps of Christ.

In his narration of the Acts 28,10, St Luke specifically wanted to emphasise the humanitarian values of the Maltese, lead by Publius, the protos (first) of the island, who welcomed Paul and all the other survivors in his house for three days after the shipwreck. The healing of Publius’s father was a prodigious miracle and a sign of gratitude by Paul for their hospitality.

The recent Episcopal Conference directive should certainly help to promote our Christian and humanitarian values inherited from our Publius. This should also help the Assoċjazzjoni Publju ta’ Malta in its endeavour to disseminate the cult of St Publius among the Maltese.