Maltese members of religious orders are to hold a congress over the next few weeks to discuss their role in modern society.
Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ, speaking on behalf of the Conference of Religious Superiors, said the congress - for religious and consecrated people - will be taking a close look at religious life within Maltese society and asking what role consecrated people have.
Fr Chetcuti said it was important to explore how religious people could enter into an effective dialogue with others. An important question to tackle was whether religious people could understand others.
The congress opens on Monday and closes on April 27 with a celebration led by Archbishop Paul Cremona at St Agatha in Rabat.