Archbishop Paul Cremona's recent trip to Australia to visit Maltese emigrants and attend World Youth Day has resulted in the plan to organise a convention for federations of Maltese emigrants in Malta in 2010, as well as an exchange visit between youths, following the successful trip of 42 Maltese.
The convention is being organised by the Emigrants' Commission and should gather Maltese living in Australia, Canada, the US and the UK, said the Archbishop's delegate for youths, Fr Savio Vella.
The youth exchange was proposed during the Australia trip and may be held before the convention, or tied in with it, he said.
Youths may be distancing themselves from the traditions of the Church that have become irrelevant, Fr Vella agreed, but the emotional testimonies of devoted, young Maltese on their return from the Sydney event, which deeply touched them, show that "the situation is definitely not that bad and their experiences attest precisely to the newfound enthusiasm of youths".
Fr Vella maintained that they had lots to offer. Their interest in the Church may be dwindling as opposed to that of adults, but the reality, he said, is that they are contributing to the emergence of a new Church, with new vigour and enthusiasm.
"Their renewed interest is a result of the space and opportunities they are being given to come to the forefront," he said.
The Australian press was originally hostile to the 23rd World Youth Day but the whole scene changed when the thousands of youths won their admiration, Fr Vella pointed out.
Sydney's World Youth Day has just ended, but preparations have already started for the "three-year journey" to the next, which climaxes in Madrid.
Formation and catechesis meetings in parishes will be held over the next three years, Fr Vella said.
He is hoping to take up even more than the 700 youths who attended the event in Cologne three years ago. The short distance and length of stay should mean fewer financial problems than encountered to travel to Australia, and he also expressed hope that more sponsorship would be available this time.
Speaking about his experiences on his return from Australia, where the focus was his meetings with the Maltese communities there, Mgr Cremona was most impressed by his taste of the suffering of the first emigrants. They had nothing but their own cultural background, did not speak English and were shunned by others but had found impressive success and wealth.
But he was always struck by the fact that, despite their suffering, they had won over Australian society and earned its respect. The Maltese, he said, are described as peaceful and loveable.
They were also strongly connected to the roots of their faith and culture, which was all they had and had helped them achieve success.
Youths, even fourth and fifth generations, have a renewed interest to learn about their roots, even if they did not speak Maltese, the Archbishop said.
The Australian Church also had immense respect for the contributions of the Maltese, having kept their faith alive and strong, he said.
Everywhere he visited, Mgr Cremona prayed to thank God for the success of many immigrants, who had made it and had become rich, and also for those who had only suffered, without achieving any success.