Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/841483
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 25 JUNE 2017 4 News YANNICK PACE NEWLYELECTED members of parliament swore an oath of al- legiance as Parliament opened for the 13th legislature. Anglu Farru- gia was unanimously reconfirmed as Speaker of the House while Op- position MP Claudette Buttigieg was confirmed as deputy Speaker. The day started with mass at St John's Co-Cathedral celebrated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna. In his homily, Scicluna under- scored the responsibility carried by all members of parliament. Quoting Pope Benedict, Scicluna said that "politics must be a striv- ing for justice", and must therefore "establish the fundamental precon- ditions for peace". "Naturally, a politician will seek success, without which he would have no opportunity for effective political action at all. Yet success is subordinated to the criterion of justice, to the will to do what is right, and to the understanding of what is right," said Scicluna. "Success can also be seductive and thus can open up the path to- wards the falsification of what is right, towards the destruction of justice." The archbishop stressed the need of politicians being able to en- gage in "effective dialogue aimed at healing the deepest roots of the evils" of the world. "Politics, though often denigrat- ed, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good," he said, insisting that those in politics should strive to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare. Turning to the "fundamental theme" of accountability, Scicluna said that there were different levels of accountability, including that to one's own conscience, to society at large and to God. "The Lord teaches us not to de- spise fidelity in the small things in life. This includes fidelity in the small acts of everyday life, it in- cludes those many meetings, those decisions that do not reach the headlines the next day, but make up the backbone of governance and service to the community," concluded Scicluna. Following mass, MPs, ambassa- dors and members of the diplomat- ic corps walked to the Parliament building for the opening ceremony. It was the first time the ceremony was held in the new parliament building. Proceedings ended with the President's address to the House, in which she emphasised the need for a change in culture and people's mentality in order to unite the na- tion following months of "intense, and at times, destructive debates". "We cannot expect this process of unity to take only a few days or weeks," said Coleiro Preca. "We need a change of culture in our country, and of our mental- ity as a nation. A change that does not only depend on the Govern- ment and the Opposition, but on the effort each and every one of us makes; including the media, civil society, and anyone who has any form of influence in our communi- ties and society." Coleiro Preca called on politi- MPs swear oath of allegiance as Parliament opens for 13th legislature MCAST Open Days 2017 30 th June - 04 th July MCAST ICA Mosta 09.00hrs - 21.00hrs Place & Time. MCAST Main Campus Paola 30 th June : 16.00hrs - 20.00hrs 01 st July : 09.00hrs - 13.00hrs 03 rd July : 16.00hrs - 20.00hrs 04 th July : 16.00hrs - 20.00hrs Where to Apply? Information Talks. When to Apply? Further Information. 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