The Pope stated recently he had a dream to see Europe become a mother. I too have a dream for Malta, to see its birth rate increasing and so it too becomes a mother. At the moment, most European countries have a low birth rate and some like France and Italy are introducing political measures to increase the younger generations.
One example is Genova and Bologna where for every hundred births, the number of deaths exceeds by 110.
This situation, according to the latest report of Istat, the national institute for statistics and demography, means that in 20 years’ time Italy will have the eldest generation of aged population. Only recently I wrote about ‘Who will care of our Elderly?’ The welfare aid by public and private institutions is not enough when the aged population is on the increase. We need to increase our birth rate to cope with the problem of ageing. So far, we do not have a political and demographic conscience.
Last year we had 2,400 marriages. The first and often the last child takes a couple or more years to be conceived. The causes are multiple, and include financial, housing and the career of the working women.
France and Germany were the first, after the Scandinavian countries, to take the lead. Italy of the Renzini government has introduced new measures for the benefit of families and children. These policies for now are €80 for families with one child, with an income from €7,000 to €25,000 yearly. The €80 are for each child. There are €160 monthly for each child where the income is below €7,000 yearly. As from next year there will be double the amount for each bebe. The policy also includes an increase in kindergartens for children and benefits for parents.
We cannot just say have more than one child. We have to create ‘a mentality and culture for life’
A rapid look at Europe shows that Germany gives €150 monthly, France from €130 monthly for the first two and €300 for three, Austria grants €100 monthly till the age of 19, Spain (where the problem is similar to Italy) grants all services for the first child for free, while Sweden grants for each child till age 16, €100 and parental leave of 480 days.
Not too bad, but as the Opposition in Italy states, it is not enough. I ask, what is the situation in Malta?
When we founded the Cana Movement in the 1950s, the birth rate was more than double and there was mass exodus through emigration. Now, we are at rock bottom. Quite rightly, Cana from the 1960s started teaching natural family planning, but what it do in the light of Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation to encourage couples to be more open to life?
The preparation for marriage should also be open towards more than one child, for each child is a blessing. We cannot just say have more than one child, but we have to create “a mentality and culture for life”, to run counter to the “anti-life mentality” (St John Paul II). Cana should have the courage and wisdom, which it already has, to respond to these social and also pastoral needs.
Financial aid is not enough. It is also education, which the Church and Cana need urgently. I do not know how government responds and likewise the Opposition. Young families also need aid, social aid, lower taxation, medical aid and social services. I am afraid we are giving priority to legislations and debates, instead of having a vision for now and the future generation.
Let us all ‘dream’ so as Malta will become a mother, an island where the family, notwithstanding breakdowns, is still a jewel.
Mgr Charles Vella is founder of the Cana Movement and counselling centres in Italy.