https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123026 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:36:08 GMT 2026-04-04T19:36:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123013 Title: The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic : religion and spirituality in these challenging times Authors: Galea, Paul; Gellel, Adrian; Sultana, Carl-Mario; Schembri, Kevin Abstract: The pandemic has caused much heartache and hardship. Most people have had family members or friends who have contracted the virus. Worse still, many have had family members or friends who succumbed to it. Those who have not taken sick have found that the virus had thrown their lives in disarray. When possible, many worked from home. Others lost their jobs. Our cities, streets and restaurants were deserted. People were spending much more time at home with the uncommon experience of having a lot of time at their disposal. Many found this a burden as they did not know how to utilise it. For sure, the pandemic put people’s lives on pause. At the same time, it gave them the opportunity to reflect on their lives and other existential issues. This could have been a surprise for many. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123013 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122474 Title: Editorial note : the Church in Malta in 2030 : re-imaging the pastoral Authors: Sultana, Carl-Mario Abstract: I have the honour to present this monographic issue of Melita Theologica which has been entrusted to the Department of Pastoral Theology, Liturgy and Canon Law of the Faculty of Theology, University of Malta.; The theme which the Members of the Department decided is to focus on in this issue is, The Church in Malta in 2030. Re-imaging the Pastoral. Although 2030 may seem a date which is still quite distant, nonetheless in pastoral terms it can be considered as very near. If we as a Church want to remain relevant and incisive in our pastoral work and in our actions, then we need to start thinking about the future, and about our future actions now. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122474 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122426 Title: The pastoral as polysemic : perspectives of priests in Malta Authors: Pulis, Matthew; Buhagiar, Luke Joseph; Delicata, Nadia; Attard, Jean Claude; Bonnici, Jimmy; Zaffarese, Andre Abstract: The Maltese Archipelago, home to a population of around half a million persons, is a confessional state that privileges the Roman Catholic religion, with a majority Catholic population of 98% baptised out of which about 84% subscribe to the Catholic faith, and around four hundred priests. The split between diocesan and religious priests is around 50%. By way of introducing the country, if one were to look at the last Church’s census, conducted in 2018, only 36% of the Maltese population attend Sunday mass, while around 70% attend at least once a month. Moreover, the census showed that only 6% and 8% of the group attending mass were within the 15–24 year-old bracket, and the 7–14 year-old bracket, respectively. The strongest cohort of mass attendees (58%) are aged at least 50 years, and the majority are females (53%).4 The census is but one sphere of inquiry among others when it comes to quantifying the life of a diocese. Nonetheless, it provides a snapshot of pastoral life as it was a couple of months prior to the advent of Covid-19. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122426 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122425 Title: Towards an eco-Church in Malta : the Church as a protagonist in caring for our common home Authors: Zammit, Mark Joseph Abstract: In these past decades, the world has become increasingly conscious that our green planet is under threat. Even though humanity has become more aware of the problem, the environment and the lives of the poor are still increasingly at risk. Despite the fact that the Church alone cannot change the present situation but can only influence it through dialogue, it is called to become more ecological. This implies both the care of the planet as well as the care of every person. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122425 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z