Author: Edward John Gauci

Setting up of the Commission for Promoting Integral Human Development

The Maltese Episcopal Conference has established the Interdiocesan Commission for Promoting Integral Human Development. This will be led by Mr Mark Cachia as Executive Chairperson. He will be supported in this role by a Council comprising members from a diverse range of professional backgrounds.
The main task of the Commission is to promote the human person and the God-given dignity of everyone in all matters relating to the economy and work, poverty and injustice, and the care of creation as our common home… Read more »

Magnifica Humanitas: 7 key questions

On May 15th, Pope Leo XIV issued the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (MH), offering the guiding principles needed to confront some of the most pressing questions humanity faces in this age of artificial intelligence:

1) Where are we heading?

Without deliberate and urgent intervention, Leo XIV warns us that we risk what he calls the “Babel syndrome” — a world enslaved to profit, where human difference is flattened into data and a single digital logic claims to explain everything, even the mystery of the human person… Read more »

Integral Human Development – Origins & Meaning

In Catholic Social Teaching, the concept of Integral Human Development (IHD) was first introduced in the 1967 encyclical Populorum Progressio[1]. Pope Paul VI insisted that development cannot be limited to mere economic growth. In order to be authentic, it must be complete, integral. In other words, it has to promote the good of every person and of the whole person[2]Read more »

The Villa Rosa project prioritises individual needs over community wellbeing

The Church’s Environment Commission strongly disagrees with the proposed amendments to the local plans that would allow for a massive construction project at Villa Rosa in St Julian’s.

This project, which includes a 34‑story tower and two additional towers of 27 stories, clearly shows that proper consideration has not been given to the impact on the surrounding communities, including increased traffic, visual impact, and reduced access to sunlight due to the shadows it will cast… Read more »

Recommendations on the Ħondoq ir-Rummien zone

Wara li f’Awwissu li għadda l‑Qorti ta’ Malta ddeċidiet li ma jsirx żvilupp f’Ħondoq ir‑Rummien, il‑Kummissjoni Interdjoċesana Ambjent (KA) għamlet is‑suġġerimenti tagħha fil‑proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni tal‑Ministeru għax‑Xogħlijiet Pubbliċi u l‑Ippjanar, u l‑Awtorità tal‑Ippjanar, dwar ir‑reviżjoni tal‑policy tal‑ippjanar għas‑sit ta’ Ħondoq ir‑Rummien kif imfassal fil‑pjan lokali ta’ Għawdex u Kemmuna.

Kwalità tal‑ħajja ħolistika

Il‑Kummissjoni Ambjent qed tipparteċipa fil‑proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni biex issostni li kienet qalet fl‑istqarrijiet maħruġa fl‑20 ta’ Lulju 2010 u l‑24 ta’ April 2013 fl‑eqqel tal‑kwistjoni ta’ Ħondoq ir‑Rummien… Read more »

Interdiocesan Environment Commission reflection on Environment Day 2023

On the occasion of Environment Day 2023, marked annually on June 5, the Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment pays tribute to environmental NGOs, mayors and councillors, and the hundreds of citizens actively involved in protecting the environment and quality of life of all those living in Malta and Gozo.

The Commission also encourages politicians to work for the common good while they are in power to bring about the necessary changes… Read more »

Era should have veto on Planning matters

The Interdiocesan Commission for the Environment calls on the authorities to provide the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) with a veto on development applications and planning policies that have a significant bearing on the quality of life.

The Commission believes this veto power also be extended to the proposed Authority responsible for Agricultural Land in matters relating to agricultural land. 

In a statement to mark World Town Planning Day 2022, the Commission said while it welcomes the new draft National Strategy for the Environment 2050 and the White Paper on Agricultural Reform, the success of these initiatives is highly dependent on a supportive land use planning framework… Read more »

Season of Creation: “Listen to the voice of creation”

“Isma’ leħen il‑ħolqien”. Din hi l‑istedina li l‑Papa Franġisku għamel fil‑messaġġ[1] li ħareġ għall‑okkażjoni tal‑Istaġun tal‑Ħolqien ta’ din is‑sena (mill‑1 ta’ Settembru sal‑4 ta’ Ottubru 2022). Il‑Papa jħeġġiġna nisimgħu bir‑reqqa l‑vuċi tal‑ħolqien: il‑vuċi tal‑pjaneta u l‑vuċi tal‑persuni li jgħixu fiha, ilħna li ilhom żmien imsikkta u mwarrba fil‑ġenb minħabba “interessi ekonomiċi predatorji” li jissarrfu fil‑qerda tal‑ambjent u f’miżerja għal ħafna nies, speċjalment tal‑foqra li dejjem huwa dawk li l‑iktar ibatu l‑konsegwenzi tal‑qerda ambjentali… Read more »

Interdiocesan Environment Commission Reflection on Environment Day 2022

On the occasion of Environment Day 2022, which is observed annually on the 5th June, the Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) appeals to the authorities to protect agricultural land and open spaces, to focus on alternative sources of energy and urgently revise current policies that are, by design, intended to serve narrow interests and irrevocably compromise the natural heritage of the Maltese Islands.

Decisive action to shift towards renewable sources of energy but not at the expense of agriculture

The current senseless war against Ukraine has brought to the fore the importance of being less reliant on fossil fuels and the importance of agricultural activity that feeds populations… Read more »

A general election campaign in the shadow of war in Europe

The Interdiocesan Environment Commission appeals to the administration that will be in place by the end of the month to make all efforts, both at a national and international level so that Malta, Europe and the whole world move decisively away from the use of fossil fuels and nuclear sources of energy. This appeal is being made in the midst of the tragic and senseless invasion of Ukraine by Russia… Read more »