Malta’s bishops yesterday reiterated their view that marriage is an everlasting bond between one man and one woman through which children should be born and reared.

The family, created through marriage, should continue to serve as the natural and social environment in which children are born and reared

In a pastoral letter on the election entitled Respect Towards the Truth and One Another, the bishops said:

“The family, created through marriage – which constitutes an everlasting bond between one man and one woman – should continue to serve as the natural and social environment in which children are born and reared.”

The bishops said it would be beneficial if the State, through its institutions, laws and policies, were to endorse this institution of the family “which the majority of the Maltese people still hold dear to their hearts”.

They added that when the need arises to promulgate laws with respect to different forms of relationships, the State should safeguard and guarantee the dignity of every individual, without diminishing the essential role of the family as father and mother, together with their children.

The pastoral letter stated that every effort should be made to intensify the battle against the drugs market, which it said is destructive and “ensnares our youngsters in its nasty trap”.

The bishops praised initiatives which provide youths with the opportunity to undergo voluntary work experience both locally and abroad.

They expressed their appreciation at the efforts being made to reduce poverty and suffering in Maltese society.

“Every person will be judged by God for the way he looked after the poor and the needy. In the process of economic progress, every endeavour should be made for any resources to be distributed fairly, and for the working conditions to undergo constant improvement,” the bishops said.

The bishops referred to the environment as an invaluable patrimony which everyone is duty-bound to care for and safeguard.

“The Christian should discern God’s hand in the work of creation and do everything possible in order that the natural environment is not harmed beyond repair.

“Every form of progress should be sustainable development and in accordance with the laws of the country,” they said.

The pastoral letter, signed by Archbishop Paul Cremona, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Auxilliary Bishop Charles Scicluna, appealed for the electoral campaign “to proceed in a spirit of respect towards the truth and towards one another, in order that the people’s verdict will be honoured in all honesty and given the assurance it deserves”.

The bishops said every citizen should feel duty-bound to participate freely and in a responsible manner: candidates, standing for election, by choosing to be of service for each and every one, and the electorate, by casting their vote.