Around the time that the Missionary Society of St Paul became a media target, following the conviction of two of its members on charges of sexual abuse, I came across an article in Leħen is-Sewwa of July 10 entitled ‘Grazzi lil Mons. Depiro u lis-Soċjetà mwaqqfa minnu’ (Thanks to Mgr Depiro and to the society he founded).
I read it and re-read it and was so saddened that all the good work done by this society has been tarnished. The missionary activity run by the society in Ethiopia, Australia, Peru, the Philippines, the US and Canada are vast.
I myself was privileged to have experienced the spiritual wealth of this society… my son was educated at their college, I worked with them and I am also grateful that I spent two months working in their mission in Pakistan.
I appeal to all Maltese and Gozitans: we should not let the devil blind us and let us just see the trauma the community is going through. At this moment we should all turn to God and ask Him to pour His blessings on the community and guide it.
Lay members of our prayer group recite a daily prayer for the needs of the Missionary Society of St Paul. Anyone who would like to receive a copy of it may call 2145 6180.