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4 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2013 Evangelii Gaudium: Pope's first apostolic exhortation JEROME CARUANA CILIA IN his first "apostolic exhortation", Pope Francis said he preferred a Church that was "bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security". The document Evangelii Gaudium or 'The Joy of the Gospel', suggests major changes are on the way, with Francis noting that the Church has to get over an attitude that says: "We have always done it this way." However, the document reiterates the Church's opposition to the ordination of female priests, saying this is "not a question open to discussion". The document also touches on inter-faith relations, urging Christians to "embrace with affection and respect Muslim immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope and ask to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition". Last month Pope Francis held his first meeting with a special group of cardinals to consider ways to reform the Vatican bureaucracy after saying in a newspaper interview that the Vatican had become too self-interested and needed to be inclusive. "Excessive centralisation, rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church's life and her missionary outreach," he said in the latest document. He also said that he does not believe the papacy "should be expected to offer a definitive or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world". This month the Vatican launched an unprecedented survey of the views of lay Catholics on modern family life and sexual ethics. The document does restate the Church's opposition to abortion but concedes that "it is also true that we have done little to adequately ac- company women in very difficult situations... especially when the life developing within them is the result of rape or a situation of extreme poverty". "Who can remain unmoved before such painful situations?" he asked. He appealed to ecclesial communities not to fall prey to envy and jealousy: "How many wars take place within the people of God and in our different communities! Whom are we going to evangelise if this is the way we act?" He highlighted the need to promote the growth of the responsibility of the laity, often kept "away from decision-making" by "an excessive clericalism". He added that there is a need for "still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church", in particular "in the various settings where important decisions are made". The young should "exercise greater leadership". With regard to the scarcity of vocations in many places, he emphasised that "seminaries cannot accept candidates on the basis of any motivation whatsoever". Pope Francis also expanded on his concerns about economic inequality. "Today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills," he said, going on to castigate the "new idolatry of money". "I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor!" he added. The final chapter is dedicated to "spirit-filled evangelisers", who are those who are "fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit" and who have "the courage to proclaim the newness of the Gospel with boldness in every time and place, even when it meets with opposition". These are "evangelisers who pray and work", in the knowledge that "mission is at once a passion for Jesus and a passion for his people: Jesus wants us to touch human mis- CALL FOR TENDERS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF LICENSES FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER, EXCHANGE, SQL SERVER AND SYSTEM CENTRE (Ref: T11/2013) A participation fee of Euro25.00 needs to be paid in order to submit an offer. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Diversion from the specification will render the offer null and void. www.mepa.org.mt Some striking points in Pope Francis's first apostolic exhortation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Less clericalism and more responsibility for the laity. Christians should embrace with affection Muslim immigrants in their countries. Women must be involved in important decisions, both in the Church and in social structures. Missionary outreach rather than waiting passively and calmly in church buildings. The papacy needs to hear the call to pastoral conversion. The need to adequately accompany women in very difficult situations, where abortion appears as a quick solution. 7. The essential need for the young to exercise greater leadership. 8. Seminaries cannot accept candidates on the basis of the pursuit of power, human glory or economic well-being. 9. No to an economy of exclusion and inequality; such an economy kills. 10. The Pope intends to concentrate on two great issues: the inclusion of the poor in society, and second, peace and social dialogue. ery, to touch the suffering flesh of others". He explains: "In our dealings with the world, we are told to give reasons for our hope, but not as an enemy who critiques and condemns". "Only the person who feels happiness in seeking the good of others, in desiring their happiness, can be a missionary; if I can help at least one person to have a better life, that already justifies the offering of my life." The Pope urged his followers to be discouraged before failure or scarce results, since "fruitfulness is often invisible, elusive and unquantifiable"; we must know "only that our commitment is necessary". The exhortation concludes with a prayer to Mary, "Mother of Evangelization". "There is a Marian 'style' to the Church's work of evangelisation. Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness." 'Payback time for construction', say Greens on new MEPA tall buildings policy MATTHEW VELLA A new MEPA policy for tall buildings is all the more reason for civil society to support a national environmental protest on Saturday, Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola said. Commenting on the new policy to allow 'landmark' buildings pepper Maltese localities under new guidelines, Cassola said the craze for more unlimited height buildings would ruin the island's skyline. "Historic walled cities such as Mdina, Valletta, the Three Cities and the Cittadella in Gozo, will be dwarfed by the new unlimited height skyline which is normally only typical of places like Dubai, Hong Kong or Singapore, which do not have ancient UNESCO heritage architecture to safeguard," Cassola said. Deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo the draft policy on heights should not be seen on its own. "It should be considered within the context of policies already issued for consultation such as those on ODZ and hotel heights. Considering all of these together with the projected local plans, one easily understands that it is payback time for the building construction industry. Rather then being encouraged to build further the building construction industry in Malta should be cut down to size." No height limit is being imposed in a new policy on tall buildings. A new MEPA policy for the evaluation of design of tall and medium buildings issued for public consultation, indicates the possible locations of these buildings and sets criteria for evaluation of permits. The locations where these tall buildings can take place are urban commercial centres and urban areas where height limits are already set at four stories. Locations where heights are already over 25 metres are being excluded. But committed areas where permits have been issued will be retained for possible new applications. This leaves the following areas: Marsa, Gzira, the Tigné peninsula – which includes a part of Sliema – Paceville, and Qawra. Pembroke is being reserved as a site for "prestigious development" and will be only considered after all other sites are considered. Medium-rise building of up to 10 floors will take place in the same areas and other localities, mainly Marsascala, Marsa and area between Gzira and St Julian's, to be identified in local plans. They will be allowed only on 5,000 square metre sites. Tall buildings will not be allowed in Gozo, outside-development zone ridges, and urban conservation areas, and must be surrounded by streets on four streets. Villa areas also excluded.