Apostolic Nuncio's mission

All Maltese and Gozitans of good will are very appreciative of President Guido de Marco's statement during the conferment of Republic Day honours to Maltese who have distinguished themselves in various sectors.

Stating that Malta believed in a Europe that considered peace not as a rhetoric but as a valuable instrument for the progress of peoples, Professor de Marco added: "In this respect, the words addressed by Pope John Paul II to us Maltese, to be builders of bridges between the peoples of the Mediterranean, between Africa and Europe, remain fundamental."

One very much welcomes this noble statement that "this message should be cast in bronze, fixed on the façade of the Palace (Valletta) as an inspiration to all".

As A Christian Outlook has stated quite recently, Malta is very fortunate to have a new Apostolic Nuncio at this particular time in Malta's history and in that of the European Union itself. The Holy See is highly experienced in diplomacy and Malta has much to benefit.

Indeed the mission of the Apostolic Nuncio is always important, but there are moments in a nation's history in which it is even more important. As the late Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, the Holy See's Secretary of State, so appropriately said in his homily on October 20, 1984 (see L'Osservatore Romano, October 22): "The Pope's representative is called to render service to the Vicar of Christ by making it possible for him to be in a way effectively present in a place where the Pope cannot be present in person. It is the duty of the Holy Father's representative to be near to the bishops and to share with them, as a brother, their joys and pastoral anxieties.

"Furthermore he would, together with the bishops, especially when he is accredited as diplomatic representative to the government of the place of his mission, take care to guard and develop existing relationships between Church and State."

Perhaps it is appropriate to remind readers that the days when Malta's government under Dom Mintoff had serious problems with the Holy See because of the Apostolic Nuncio's mission now belong to history. Malta was without a Nuncio for more than seven years. In fact, it was in 1977 that Mgr Del Giudice's term of office as Apostolic Nuncio to Malta came to an abrupt end. He was definitely treated as a persona non grata.

After his departure from Malta, and perhaps even before, relations between the Holy See and the Malta government were not cordial at all. The blame for these cold relations must rest with Mintoff's government. This is amply proved from the documents published by the government itself covering the period December 1976 to May 1983.

All political parties, social partners, movements and all individuals are so pleased that relations between the Holy See and Malta are now very cordial and that, whichever political party is in power, they will remain always cordial.

All Maltese and Gozitans rely completely on the experience of the Holy See and on the personal capabilities of Pope John Paul II in particular. Indeed the Holy Father's message to one and all is never to yield to the temptation of hate and violence but to create bridges of dialogue. In particular, his personal appeal to Malta is to give a soul to Europe.

The new Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto, will give plenty of encouragement to Malta in the right direction.