THE TEN OF THE 1ST MAY " "
In our review of the ten states that will enter the European Union on 1st May, this week it’s the turn of Malta, which, after a long and turbulent process begun in 1970 with the Treaty of Association, has now arrived, with high hopes, at the finishing line of full EU membership. The Church’s commitment has been significant. We have already presented Cyprus (SIR no.14/2004) and Poland (SIR no.15/2004). THE CHURCH’S COMMITMENT. “Malta’s entry into the EU together with nine other States is an historic event of great significance for our country. It is also a contribution to the ‘europeanization’, or peaceful reunification of Europe after centuries of conflict and divisions”. That’s the judgement of Father VANNI XUEREB, chairman of the Commission on Church in Malta and the European Union, recalling the words of John Paul II, “Together with all men of good will, Christians are called to build an authentic common home, and not just an economic and financial edifice”. “EU membership continues Xuereb represents for the Maltese people an opportunity to fulfil their own vocation of contributing to the spiritual unity of the Old Continent by offering their own heritage of Christian faith and values”. “The Church of Malta and Gozo Father Xuereb declares is actively engaged with politicians, workers, trades unions and civil society in seeking to draw the maximum benefit from the country’s membership of the EU. She is doing so first of all as the conscience of the nation in the important contribution that it is called to make to the building of the common European home; this means intensifying her collaboration with the Catholic Churches and with the other Christian denominations of the States of the Union. An interconfessional celebration planned in the co-cathedral of St. John in Valletta on 9th May will announce this aspect that Malta’s entry into the European Union may represent”. “We pray for the help and blessing of God concludes Father Xuereb as we are about to inaugurate this new chapter in the history of our nation”. GENERAL CONSENSUS. “The process of Malta’s entry into the EU has been neither brief nor easy explains the spokesman of the local Church, CHARLES BUTTIGIEG -. Various opinions on the matter existed in the country. Between formal request for membership (1990) and the beginning of negotiations there was a period (1996-1998) during which the process was ‘frozen’ and the government sought a different solution than the approach to the EU. Opponents of EU membership argued that not all the directives and regulations of the Union would be applicable or advantageous to Malta. Those, on the other hand, who supported the country’s entry into Europe thought any agreement that would provide only advantages without requiring sacrifices inconceivable”. But they also argued that “membership would give the country the possibility of directly participating in the decisions that will affect the member states; they hoped in this way to limit the sacrifices and increase the benefits”. The supporters of EU membership Buttigieg continues hope, in particular, “that entry into Europe will ensure a better future for the country in terms of prosperity, job opportunities, better opportunities for the young in the field of education, and an improvement in the level of environmental protection. Those who oppose membership argue, on the other hand, than the country’s current difficulties, such as rising unemployment, are a proof that the fears are justified”. “But today concludes the spokesman a general consensus in favour of membership can be ascertained among citizens. The Maltese are in fact convinced of the need to commit themselves with a view to obtaining the maximum benefits from this union and to do their utmost to limit the negative effects that could derive from it”. Fact File Malta and the European Community signed a Treaty of Association in 1970 that aimed at the creation of a “Customs Union”, but this was never achieved, not least due to the advantages, according to some insufficient, that Malta would derive from it. The implementation of the Treaty was successively deferred and then superseded by Malta’s decision to seek full membership of the EU. Out of a population of roughly 400,000, Catholics represent 96%. There are only two dioceses: Malta and Gozo, comprising 83 parishes (68 in Malta and 15 in Gozo). There are a total of 491 diocesan priests, of whom 323 in Malta and 168 in Gozo, 590 men religious and 1097 women religious.
