Malta and its European neighbours as havens for migrants : what mercy? whose justice? which policies?

Abstract

The four main words in the title - havens, mercy,justice, policies - indicate a reflection across four moments. Accordingly, in the first part of the article, the discussion Maltese national identity using the concept of “haven.” In the second part, it will link this to biblical mercy - as it applies to the phenomenon of migration - and then, in the third part, it will present mercy as a true and excellent way of living out justice. Finally, it will present some rights and principles included in Catholic Social Teaching on Migration and Asylum which I believe should shape the concrete decisions taken by policymakers.