Responding with an “open heart,” Pope Francis has replied to Maltese parents of LGBTQ individuals who criticised a recent Vatican document denouncing gender theory and gender-affirming surgeries. In a letter dated April 30 Francis commended Drachma Parents, an organisation supporting LGBTQ Catholics, for their efforts. He described their work as “very beautiful and good”. In Read more
The pope’s visit to migrants and asylum seekers in Ħal Far has sparked outrage among many Facebook users who rejected his appeal for charity and overwhelmingly told him to take migrants back with him to the Vatican. During his two-day visit to Malta, the pontiff visited the Peace Lab in Ħal Far where he met Read more
On the second and final day of his visit to Malta, Pope Francis spoke of migrants and of mercy to others. Everyone is deserving of mercy, whether they’re foreigners or simply people in need of compassion, he said at the Grotto of St Paul in Rabat. He went on to speak of Malta’s tradition of Read more
The Vatican bank has started legal proceedings in Malta against those it holds responsible for the loss of millions of euros in an investment fund. Maltese judge, Mr Justice Wenzu Mintoff, will preside over the case. His role will include deciding the bank’s total losses. The Vatican statement says the losses are “significant.” It also Read more
A Maltese bishop has appealed for pathways for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics who want to experience God’s mercy. In a pastoral letter, Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo wrote that “God’s mercy is not only a doctrine alongside the doctrine of marriage and the family, but is at the heart of Christian doctrine”. The pastoral Read more
The conservative prefect of the Apostolic Signatura appears to have confirmed reports that Pope Francis is to assign him to a lesser role. American Cardinal Raymond Burke confirmed to the National Catholic Reporter that he has been told he will be removed from his current role. Asked who told him he would be removed, Cardinal Read more
Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, has attended his first public Catholic Mass in an official capacity, during a visit to Malta. The Duke of Cambridge was in the Mediterranean nation representing Queen Elizabeth II at the 50th anniversary of Malta’s independence. He went to a Thanksgiving Mass at St John’s Read more
A bishop in Malta has asked every parish in his diocese to host at least one refugee family from Iraq or Syria. Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo in Malta made the call during a homily on the feast of Our Lady of Victories. “I have in my heart all those who are victims of atrocity, Read more
Monsignor Charles Scicluna, the Vatican’s sex crimes prosecutor, has been named auxiliary bishop of Malta, an Associated Press report said. Scicluna, who was dubbed “promotor of justice,” worked directly under then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. “He carried out this role very differently to others, both within the Vatican and outside,” said Iacopo Scaramuzzi, Read more
Malta, one of the most Catholic countries in the world has approved the introduction of divorce. In the referendum the people voted by a majority of 54%, to allow couples to divorce after at least four years of separation; when ‘there is no reasonable hope’ of reconciliation. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who campaigned for a ‘No’ vote, said: “The Read more