Economic growth was a call to show greater responsibility and solidarity with those who needed it, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said on Sunday.

Exchanging season’s greeting with the public at the Curia, Mgr Scicluna said the people should be witnesses to tolerance, acceptance and the provision of dignity to everyone.

"Our mission is to be ambassadors of the affection God shows," he said.

The Archbishop addressed his new role as adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Holy See, which will see him working to promote the doctrines of the church.

“Every Archbishop is given a flock that he needs to take care of but is also given an obligation to help the Pope in his efforts,” he said.

He touched on the value of the protection of life and appealed for celebrations to continue until the Epiphany rather than end at Christmas.

The feast of the Three Kings was important because it saw Jesus being introduced to people, he said.

"We were the people who were introduced to Him, led by the star, and we should continue celebrating this," Mgr Scicluna said.

Mgr Scicluna was accompanied by Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi.

Photo: Jonathan Borg