Economic crisis calls for moderation in expenditure on celebrations - Gozo bishop

A sense of moderation in expenditure including in activity and celebration using public funds was necessary in view of the economic crisis, the Gozo bishop said yesterday evening.

During his homily at Mass in Qala on the occasion of Worker’s Day, Mgr Grech said the economic crisis which affected the world had also reached Malta, with a number of workers losing their job putting workers and their families in crisis.

Those not yet been affected by the crisis could not remain indifferent and had to adopt behaviour and lifestyles to prepare for and mitigate the problem.

If certain expenditure had, until now, been permitted, even on things which were unnecessary, one now had to start calculating the use of private resources, giving more consideration to those who lacked basic needs.

This sense of moderation would avoid waste and a clear choice would be made to ensure employment.

In this regard, Christian communities, such as parishes, should lead by example and also be moderate in celebrations, feasts and projects one could do without and instead set up a fund to help this cause.

Mgr Grech said that there when workers were facing unemployment, more solidarity was needed among authorities, employers and unions to work together to ensure existing jobs and explore new sectors which could create more employment.

It was above all important that no matter how big the challenges, one did not lose hope.