Gozo Bishop Mario Grech has questioned why some priests insist on ostracising those who are spiritually vulnerable and weak.
In a homily on Christmas Eve, Mgr Grech reflected on what he described as a mentality that celebrated only the strong.
He noted that even religious culture was imbued with this mentality that exalted “the spiritually strong and the perfect”.
This mentality ignored those who experienced spiritual difficulty, were weak or immersed in sin.
Some priests were also influenced by this way of thinking, he added.
“Why are there some in the ecclesial community who would want people like these ostracised from the rest of the community – let those who have ears listen.”
He said the good news of Christmas was God’s willingness to stand by humanity with all its weaknesses. It was in weakness that God’s glory shone, he added.
“There is no place for those who pretend to be socially and spiritually macho,” Mgr Grech said, urging Christians not to give up. Meanwhile, Catholics in Malta and Gozo are being urged to submit their feedback in preparation for next October’s extraordinary synod, which will focus on the family’s role and mission within the Church and beyond.
In a statement yesterday by the Maltese Episcopal Conference, Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna and Mgr Grech outlined a series of initiatives aimed to encourage the faithful to come forward and express their views.
These will include feedback from two working groups commissioned by the Faculty of Theology, groups within the Church such as the Cana Movement, the clergy and the conclusions from two conferences.
The lineamenta (the term used for the document issued in preparation for the synod) has been translated to Maltese and is available on the websites of the respective dioceses. Feedback can be sent on pastoral.secretariat@maltadiocese.org.
In October, Mgr Grech represented the Maltese Episcopal Conference in Rome for the extraordinary two-week gathering of world bishops.
The conclusions of this extraordinary meeting will serve as a reflection for next year’s synod, when the Pope will be expected to declare a final stand on the subject.