It is a rare distinction for two Maltese women, who are also religious nuns, to be given a major role within the Church. Their appointment is also a great honour for Maltese women, who I think should recognise such an achievement.

One is Sr Carmen Sammut, who is superior general of the Missionaries of Africa, known as White Sisters. Sr Carmen spent her missionary life in the service of God over the last decades in Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania. She also teaches Islamic studies and Arabic.

She recently represented the White Sisters in Rome for the International Union of Female Superior Generals. She was elected with a large majority among the 800 delegates as president of this worldwide union. It is a remarkable achievement for a middle aged Maltese woman, whose talents, humility, spirituality and experience in Africa excelled.

There was a time when the White Sisters had a convent in Sliema, where Fatima House is located. At the time they had some vocations from Malta, among them Sr Sammut.

On her election Sr Sammut met Pope Francis and while in Malta she was received by Archbishop Paul Cremona.

The other nun is Sr Dorothy Vella Zarb, from Sliema, who was elected for the second time as superior general of the Sisters of St Joseph, known in Malta for their schools and pastoral work. Sr Vella Zarb is responsible for 900 nuns in 30 countries, which she has to visit.

Today religious congregations face many problems, but Sr Vella Zarb is pleased with the number of vocations in Asia, where they are also preparing these nuns to come as missionaries in Europe.

While congratulating these two distinguished Maltese nuns, we also support them in their mission.