International Ecumenical Pauline Centre in Malta

Allow me to update readers about the International Ecumenical Centre for Pauline Studies, which I had announced in The Sunday Times some months ago.

I shall be in Malta for the feast of St Paul Shipwrecked on Tuesday together with Fr Ampelio Crema, provincial of the Society of St Paul, with whom I had the pleasure to work for 10 years as the firs director of the Centro Internazionale Studi Famiglia (CISF).

The International Ecumenical Pauline Centre will follow very closely the professional and academic methodology of CISF. I have offered the project of the Pauline Centre to the Maltese Church, in response to Pope John Paul II's exhortation on his visit to our island: "Radiate the faith of St Paul in the Mediterranean."

So far, the Maltese Church has not offered a concrete reply.

The aim of the Pauline Centre would be to make Malta a focal point of reference to deepen and apply the teaching of the Apostle of the Gentiles to the pastoral needs of the various churches, and to attract to Malta biblical scholars who will participate in seminars, congresses and meetings on how relevant St Paul's teachings are to the world today. Catholics and non-Catholics and produce publications, videos, art exhibitions, etc.

I have made a detailed working plan of this 'vision' and the centre's. Among other things, I have proposed collaboration with the Pontifical Councils, universities, the European Bishops' Conference, the World Council of Churches, the Anglican Church, dioceses dedicated to St Paul (such as St Paul, Minnesota, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, etc.) and congregations like the Society of St Paul. All this needs the backing of the bishops.

At the local level I had several meetings with Archbishop Paul Cremona and also spoke to Gozo Bishop Mario Grech. Besides I have made contacts with the Faculty of Theology of the University of Malta and the Missionary Society of St Paul.

I have found good listeners, but have not had helping hands. It seems that due to a lack of vision, the centre seems very ambitious and expensive.

If one is convinced, everything is possible and it is good ideas that generate money, as I have seen from personal experience.

For the Pauline centre I have doors ready to open in Malta and abroad, but the most important door is closed.

I mean the Maltese Church, which notwithstanding the many human resources available, is very hesitant to assume responsibility.

In this Pauline Year I appeal to the Maltese Church to make this centre a lasting venture.