The Archbishop is showing the meaning of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi…

Whoever knows anything about the history of Christianity in general and the history of Christianity in Ethiopia would never think that the majority of Ethiopians are Roman Catholic.

Christianity in Ethiopia dates back to antiquity — in fact, to the 1st century — and, as in Egypt and surrounding lands, Christianity is of the Coptic variety. Copts and all Orthodox Churches (Greek, Russian etc) share virtually the same beliefs with Catholics except that thy are not subject to the Roman Church. The theological differences are negligible and somewhat obscure (e.g. the so-called “filioque controversy”) and the Catholic Church does in no way consider them heretical.

Contrary to popular (and highly misinformed) belief many migrants are Christians but that’s by the by. The fact remains that we’re a racist lot.

I commute by bus every day. More often than not, I take bus number X4 which is, normally, a route which many migrants use.

I witness racist episodes some 90% of the time. Last Tuesday I witnessed an episode which left me gobsmacked. I was on another bus going to tal-Qroqq and there was an African gentleman who was impeccably dressed (in suit and tie).

His skin colour attracted the attention of the bird-brained passengers and, as soon as the gentleman stood up to get off the bus, a volley of insults was hurled at him, such as: ara hej, liebes pulit, imma xorta iswed ikrah pesti baqa’. I couldn’t believe my ears and eyes.

Well, I was behind the gentleman whilst getting off the bus and I did reply, of course. However, I was shocked to the core. This was racism in its purest form and I found it revolting.

william cauchi

Today, 10:44

I used to think Ethopians were Catholics but :

Year Ethiopian Orthodox Protestants Catholics. Muslims Animists Other

2007. 43.5% 18.6% 0.7% 33.9% 2.6% 0.7%
Growth -7.1%’ 8.5% -0.2%. 1.1%. -2.0% -0.3%

Only 0.7% were Catholics in 2007 and Protestantism is growing very fast.

Joe Xuereb

Today, 12:01

Freedom of Religion is absolute. But times are changing.
Malta’s tiny and its Catholics relatively small in number, with church attendance not particularly strong. I suggest that RC migrants should be encouraged to boost the local dwindling stock. & I suggest too that migrants who aren’t RC should be encouraged to convert, ideally through marriage to local men & women. It’s a long term solution.

Perhaps Stephen Farrugia knows, through some secret “intelligence report”, that these Ethiopian immigrants are actually Muslims disguised as Christians, biding their time until they take over Malta.

It must be so sad living a life thinking everyone’s out to get you.

[Daphne – You need a psychiatrist, Mr Farrugia. And no, that’s not an insult but proper advice.]