A clear separation between the State and the Church benefitted everyone, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told Archbishop Elect Charles Scicluna yesterday.
Such separation did not mean lack of dialogue and collaboration between the two. The Church’s role was complementary to that of the State, especially in the sectors of the care of children, the elderly and rehabilitation from substance abuse, Dr Muscat said during the Mgr Scicluna’s first official courtesy visit since he was named as the new leader of the Maltese Church .
“I appreciate the fact that you have very strong opinions. Despite differences in some of our opinions, this leads to an honest dialogue,” Dr Muscat said.
Acknowledging that autonomy between the Church and the State was important, Mgr Scicluna said both institutions worked for the benefit of the same people.
He called for an honest, loyal and respectful dialogue. The Church’s vocation, he said, was to serve humanity, so collaboration in favour of the poor to eliminate poverty was of utmost importance. He also looked forward in collaborating to promote the natural environment.
Mgr Scicluna also paid a visit to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, in whom, he said, he saw a guarantee of religious freedom. Such religious freedom was for all citizens, whatever their religion, he told this newspaper.
He promised the President his full cooperation and thanked her for her support on behalf of Catholic NGOs.
President Coleiro Preca told Mgr Scicluna she was convinced he would be an effective shepherd. “We are lucky that you were chosen because you are close to the people and have an international vision,” she said.
Asked to elaborate, Ms Coleiro Preca said, being at the crossroads of three continents, Malta had always been at the junction of civilisations and, now, of culture and religion.
“We need an archbishop that really has an international vision. I do believe that the Catholic Church can be a catalyst in bringing cultures together and create an interfaith dialogue that is important for peace and stability in our region,” she said.
Mgr Scicluna also called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, the National Student Travel Foundation congratulated Mgr Scicluna on his appointment.
Mgr Scicluna served as a member of NSTF’s executive and also as a director for four years between 1982 and 1985.
“These student organisations are proud to have benefitted from Mgr Scicluna’s sense of pragmatism when dealing with issues affecting university students. He always gave a well-informed and sound opinion.
“Additionally, his sense of openness to different ideas and his strong belief in active student participation and citizenship are all values which he inculcated on to NSTF,” the foundation said in a statement.