Solidarity was the running theme in Archbishop Charles Scicluna’s homily on Independence Day, with the leader of the Maltese Catholic Church warning that every decision taken today has an impact on future generations.

Emphasising the importance of solidarity between generations, Scicluna cited Pope Francis’ calls for “a kind of solidarity that does not only consider the immediate impact of decisions but also looks at the consequences that these decisions taken by our generation would have on the quality of life of the future generations that have yet to be born.”

“Among these decisions we find are those that impact on the environmental heritage of our country, the cultural, historical, architectural and archeological legacy of this sweet land, our mother, to which we owe our name. Every decision we take today will shape our quality of life but it will also shape, for good or for ill, the quality of life of future generations. Thus, we are reminded of our duty and the opportunity to show solidarity with them too,” he said.

Scicluna said “solidarity is also an essential value in the life of Maltese society” and cited the social policies implemented by successive governments since Independence as an embodiment of these values.

While acknowledging Malta’s prosperity, Scicluna said that the “poor are always with us” and new poverty demands of us new expressions of solidarity.

“Solidarity ensures that the burden of one is shared with others just as wealth is shared by everyone.”

In reference to the migration crisis which has gripped the European Union in recent months, Scicluna said that a crisis in solidarity would threaten the very foundations on which the European Union is built.

“At this juncture of our nation’s history, it is right that the Maltese Government appeals to the principle of solidarity between our fellow members of the European Union in order to find an adequate and efficient response to the phenomenon of immigration,” he said.

In recent weeks both Malta and Italy have been embroiled in an ongoing tit-for-tat over the rescue of migrants at sea with both countries refusing entry to rescue vessels.

Scicluna said that Malta and the EU have a moral obligation towards “people who are fleeing a cruel environment, a violent contempt of the dignity of the human person, a harsh fate of slavery, even torture and death.”