Malta’s low birth rate risks ‘ethnic extinction’, Archbishop warns
What our enemies did not manage, we are doing with our own hands, Scicluna says
Malta is facing “ethnic extinction” due to its low birth rate, Archbishop Charles Scicluna has warned.
Speaking during a mass celebrating Victory Day, Scicluna recalled how Malta has the lowest birthrate in Europe.
He said this low birthrate combined with Malta’s small size risks the “extinction of our ethnicity”.
“What our enemies did not manage to do, we are doing with our own hands,” Scicluna said.
He was speaking during his annual homily for Victory Day, which recalls two military victories - the Great Siege of 1565 and the Second World War.
Scicluna thanked the state for its efforts in providing affordable housing to young people.
He said that while there is beauty in caring for a dog or a cat because they are God’s creation, children are a great treasure.
According to the EU's statistics arm, Eurostat, Malta’s fertility rate is 1.06, meaning, on average, each woman in Malta is having just over one child.
By contrast, Bulgaria has the highest fertility rate in Europe, with 1.81 live births per woman.
Data released by the National Statistics Office to mark World Population day showed that the natural population increase collapsed by 55.3% in just one year as resident births declined and deaths rose.
Drugs ruining young lives
The archbishop also warned about vices such as substance abuse and greed, which he said poisons the heart.
“May all be filled with abundance, but having wealth should not mean trampling on others or on the environment to gain more…What will you take with you after your death?"
"...You could ask them to put all your money in the coffin. But they could just as well leave you a cheque, and it would still be worthless to you,” Scicluna said.
On substance abuse, Scicluna said it is ruining many young lives.
He said even when used in moderation, drugs and alcohol have the power to destroy you.
Scicluna said drugs and alcohol abuse not only harms young people, but all families and people’s relationships with others.
The archbishop further touched upon people's “dependency” on the virtual world.
“We look at our smartphones and we have no chance to meet each other as people. This is another addiction”.