The annual conference of the Gozo Diocese Family Commission this year had as its theme Iż-żgħażagħ, ix-xorb u ddroga. X’tista’ tagħmel il-familja? (Youths, alcohol and drugs. What can the family do?). The key speaker was Charlie Azzopardi, a family therapist with many years of experience in various clinical settings, including addictions and children’s/teenagers’ problems.

Concluding the conference, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech appealed to families to be “political agents”, taking part in the country’s political debates, followed by social and legal choices.

Mgr Grech said he was afraid that the Maltese family never took this political challenge seriously enough. It seemed the family passed this responsibility to others.

Mgr Grech spoke on the family’s importance in circumstances in which their sons and daughters fell victims to alcohol and drugs.

The family was a necessary structure for these victims to come clean. He said it was important that all the family united in the therapy process of these individuals to stand on their feet again.

Mgr Grech ended his talk by thanking Fr Anton Tewma, Gozo Diocese Pastoral Family Delegate, and pastoral operators, including parish priests, the clergy and lay people who work among families.

Another speaker at the conference, held at Villa Fiorita in Marsalforn, was Oasi Foundation director Fr Manwel Cordina.