Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1024340
NEWS 2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 SEPTEMBER 2018 MASSIMO COSTA MALTA'S bishops have called for a response of solidarity to the housing situation, especially to the difficulties faced by fami- lies, young people and foreign- ers who struggle to find accom- modation they can afford to rent or buy. Archbishop Charles J. Sciclu- na, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and Bishop Joseph Galea-Cur- mi, addressed the housing situ- ation in Malta in a pastoral let- ter for the nativity of the Virgin Mary at the Victory Day pon- tifical mass at the Naxxar parish church on Friday evening. The letter is inspired by the encyclical letter of Pope Francis Laudato si', in which the Pope deals with the problem of hous- ing and how the home is an es- sential part of the experience of human dignity as it gives hope and stability. "Our appeal is that politicians unite in a common front… to have policies, laws and regula- tions that tackle the emergency situations we are facing in hous- ing," Scicluna says in a video prepared for the statement. Scicluna said developers had a right to use their capital to create wealth, but called for restraint when it comes to the "blind economic laws of de- mand and supply". "There are principles of equity, justice, solidarity and compas- sion which need to be factored in if we are to have to the social conscience we Christians are known for." In the letter, the Bishops say: "What does it profit you in gain- ing the whole world, when at the moment of judgement, he who will judge you in justice and truth, tells you: 'I was liv- ing in your property giving you your due and you turned me out on the streets to satisfy your greed?' What does it profit you in paying foreigners a pittance an hour for their work while at the same time depriving them of their rights; or what does it profit you in turning entire fam- ilies out on the streets in order to make an alternative income of thousands a month, all the while flaunting your generosity by donating substantial sums to your parish? Do you honestly think that Christ rejoices in such offerings? Or does he not rejoice more in mercy and soli- darity shown to those who work and strive to provide for the family and cannot afford a rent that spiked from €400 to €900 a month?" The Bishops then go on to make five appeals. To Maltese society as a whole, they ask that it does not become indifferent when faced with emergency social situations that are creating a new type of pov- erty. Certain societal situations – such as young people not quali- fying for a bank loan because their salaries aren't sufficient to meet the monthly repayments, and people going through cri- ses such as addiction having to rely on the rental market – have created "a social emergency that requires and demands a solution and commitment from every- one, whoever he or she may be," the Bishops said. Such dramatic circumstanc- es are creating "a new type of poverty while also destroying people's hope", the said, as they urged society not to become in- different to these situations. To the politicians, they appeal that the housing issue does not become a partisan political foot- ball but is instead an opportuni- ty to demonstrate that they are willing to work together for the common good. They call on them for the "timely regulation of the rental market" and for the "provision of sustainable housing", saying this would give the people who are worst hit by the crisis the "dignity of having a suitable roof over their heads". To the landlords and develop- ers, they call upon to be always guided by a social conscience and act in accordance with the principles of solidarity and re- sponsibility. Acknowledging that every- one has the right to use prop- erty to increase material gain, they, however, assert that this "shouldn't happen without re- straint". To the tenants, who have a du- ty to pay rent on time, they ap- peal to take care of the property they are living in and not cause any damage to it. The bishops also remind that social justice demands that one resorts to so- cial housing only if they really are in need, without abusing of the social welfare system. "Whoever abuses of the social welfare system through deceit- ful means is guilty of stealing while also putting an unjust burden on the same welfare sys- tem," they said. Finally, they encouraged the ecclesiastical communities to continue to work hand-in-hand with civil society to find answers for emergency situations, and so that the Church, which through its various entities offers a home to hundreds of people, contin- ues to be an example and assists those who are in difficulty. "Today, more than ever, the Church needs to lead by exam- ple," the Bishops added. Bishops on housing: 'developers must be just and compassionate' KARL AZZOPARDI CATHOLIC traditionalists who an- nounced a rosary rally on the eve of Malta's gay pride march are being led by former right-wing and anti-immigration politician Philip Beattie. Beattie, a lecturer in banking at the Uni- versity of Malta, recently founded the Pro Malta Christiana organisation – a group of lay Catholics following the teachings of the late Brazilian activist and anti- communist Plinio Correa de Oliveira. Earlier this week, Beattie – a founder of the right-wing Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana, and later Azzjoni Nazz- jonali – refused to release any comment to MaltaToday. "I do not communicate with far-left newspapers," Beattie told MaltaToday. The 'rosary rally' is set to be held in Par- liament Square on Friday, 14 September as "reparation to God for the Malta Gay Pride" – a fitting imploration from Beat- tie, who dubbed the marriage equality law a "communist and totalitarian law", and in line with De Oliveira's own view of homosexuality as "the number one en- emy of the family". Beattie's new organisation coincides with the recent creation of another lay Catholic organisation, Catholic Voices Malta, which includes in its ranks people like former PN finance minister, Tonio Fenech. But Catholic Voices' mission seems more aligned with the voice of Pope Francis than Beattie's Pro Malta Chris- tiana, which has posted critical pieces of the Roman Pontiff in recent weeks. In 2005, Beattie was one of the founders of the Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana (ANR), styled as a "traditionalist and Catholic" organisation that had led an anti-immigration protest. He later con- tested in 2008 with the right-wing party Azzjoni Nazzjonali. Beattie was also a founder of the Pro Tridentina society in 2007, the move- ment to hold the Tridentine Latin Mass. Pro Tridentina describes Pro Malta Christiana as a fraternal organisation, citing cooperation between Beattie and Fr Nicholas Doublet, the chaplain to the Apostolate of St Paul, a Catholic commu- nity also dedicated to the celebration of the Tridentine Latin Mass. Pro Malta Christiana's aims include the defence of the Christian traditions of Malta, the right of private ownership of property, the traditional family, the right to life, and the promotion of Christian ideals in the social and pure sciences, and philosophy. Anti-gay 'rosary rally' led by former AN candidate Philip Beattie founded the right-wing Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana and later Azzjoni Nazzjonali with Josie Muscat "I do not communicate with far-left newspapers" "What does it profit you in gaining the whole world, when at the moment of judgement, he who will judge you in justice and truth, tells you: 'I was living in your property giving you your due and you turned me out on the streets to satisfy your greed?'