Author: Mark Cachia

Caring for Our Common Home

The church has often been criticized of not being on the ball in terms of ecology and the safeguard of our planet. Traditionally, environmentalists were viewed as focusing too much on worldly matters, disregarding the ultimate importance of eternity.

Yet, this has been changing, especially in light of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si. Taking care of this great gift we get to call ‘home’ is a duty of each and every Catholic and is becoming an ever more pressing issue as we witness the devastating effects of our anthropogenic activities… Read more »

Exploring the Encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti’

The Encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” is a potent expression of faith in times of doubt, a call for hope in times of fear and a challenge to love. This Encyclical is a blend of Franciscan themes and Ignatian discernment, combined with the Catholic Social Teaching. The Encyclical invites us to an affective, reflective and imaginative relationship with the variety of ideas and arguments it presents to us… Read more »

Deaths in prison

A few weeks ago, the country woke up to the news of another death in prison. This was the 14th death in Malta’s Corradino Correctional Facility since the beginning of 2018.  An inquiry has been set up to unearth all the facts, reasons and dynamics which lie behind this disturbing and alarming statistic. And yet, the inmates, their families and the whole country can no longer afford to wait any longer before everyone concerned starts pulling the same rope to ensure that prison is a safe place and truly an institution which places reformation and rehabilitation at its heart, and where the dignity of all is respected… Read more »

Dignity

Made in the image of God, we are ALL God’s children.

We believe that every person is precious & unique.

We believe that people are + important than things.

We are therefore called to treat every person with loving respect.

Watch this video which briefly explains Dignity, the first principle of Catholic Social Teaching: Read more »

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Pope encourages Justice & Peace Commissions to work with hope, determination, and creativity

Daniel Darmanin and Mark Cachia from Justice and Peace (Malta) joined other participants from Europe, Africa, Oceania and Asia in an online conference for Justice and Peace Commissions which was hosted on Wednesday 17th November by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Following the establishment of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development in 2016, the need has emerged for a dialogue with ecclesial bodies working for justice and peace, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the light of the Encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli tutti… Read more »

22 entities present position paper on the recreational use of cannabis to members of parliament

Twenty‑two entities presented a position paper on the recreational cannabis bill to members of parliament, expressing serious concern about the short and long term effects on society of the proposed legislation and calling for a serious, mature and researched debate on the subject. The proposed bill will be presented today for debate in Parliament.

All entities, many of which work with children and young people, strongly believe that as currently presented, the bill will have a negative effect in normalising drug use while failing to protect both society and drug users… Read more »

An Option that’s not Optional: The Preferential Option for the Poor

One of the major themes in Catholic social teaching in recent decades has been the preferential option for the poor. The phrase was first used in the late 60s by the then superior general of the Jesuits, Father Pedro Arrupe, in a letter to his order. The term was later picked up by the Catholic bishops of Latin America, who emphasized the use of option as a verb rather than as a noun, before becoming one of the main principles which guides the reflection and action of Christians in today’s world… Read more »

Why should Catholics care about COP26?

The COP26 conference is currently being organized by the United Nations with the intention of gathering world leaders in Glasgow to discuss the impact of climate change and take the necessary decisions to mitigate the problem.

But why should Catholics care about all this?

During a meeting which was held at the Vatican in the beginning of October, Pope Francis, together with nearly 40 other religious leaders, declared that: “Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home… Read more »

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Modern Catholic social teaching is said to have originated in 1891, when Pope Leo XII published the encyclical letter, Rerum Novarum. It consists of a number of principles, values, documents and instructions. Rooted in Scripture and developed by the wisdom of Church leaders and the People of God, these teachings offer us a moral compass on how to live out our faith in the world.

Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty… Read more »