Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/768342
maltatoday, SATURDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2016 News 'Christmas story reminds us why we should welcome refugees' – Archbishop 'Jesus took his first steps and lived his early years as a refugee' – Archbishop issues strong reminder to Christians as to why Malta should welcome refugees ARCHBISHOP Charles Scicluna has urged Chris- tians to use the nativity story of Jesus' birth as an example of why refugees should be helped out and welcomed. "Joseph had to flee Israel and seek refuge in Egypt to save Jesus and his mother. Jesus took his first steps and lived his early years as a refugee," Scicluna said in a speech to the public at the Church's an- nual Christmas reception. "This reminds us of the importance of the work carried out by civil society and the Maltese government in favour of the dignity of our brothers who have special needs." In a powerful speech, he lent his support to Presi- dent Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who recently con- demned the government's plans to deport to Mali a group of failed asylum seekers. "We should be a friendly society, ready to welcome all those in need, even if it comes as a challenge to us. With God's grace, we are benefitting from a strong economy – for which we should thank the Maltese government – but this also means that we have few excuses to not act more generously to- wards others. In fact, this new wealth is an occasion for us to be even more generous. "We have a large labour market and the potential to act more generously with others, so let's thank God for our wealth by being courageous and gener- ous enough to distribute it amongst ourselves and amongst others." In April, Pope Francis took 12 Muslim refugees from Syria, including six children, with him back to Rome following an emotional visit into the heart of Europe's migrant crisis in Greece. Archbishop Charles Scicluna greeted the public for a Christmas reception at the Curia yesterday