Message from Archbishop Charles Scicluna two and half years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The social teachings of the church remind us that peace is founded on truth, justice, freedom and love. These four foundational values are inter-dependent, and each is essential; a community cannot be truly at peace if one of them is missing or disregarded.
Thirty months from the assassination of the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, we are still waiting for the complete truth on the conspiracy of her assassination and we are still waiting for justice for Daphne, her family and us all because her assassination was also an premeditated attack on our society.
While it is tempting to think that upholding justice is the government’s business, or that the fight for truth and justice is the duty of civil society, it is important to remember that that searching for truth and fighting for justice is also a personal duty as citizens of this country and believers. This demands of us that we recognise our civic duties towards others and towards our community.
That we stand against a culture of corruption, cronyism and nepotism. This demands that we do not close our eyes to evil because it suits us. This demands of us that we treat each person with respect, refuse to put personal profit before the common good, and are ready to contribute to the community of which we are a part. It demands of us that we shoulder our responsibilities without fear or favour. To recognised and work for the common good is our collective responsibility.
In the ultimate analysis, the litmus test of our commitment to justice is surely how we treat the marginalised and vulnerable, those who have no vote and voice. And, the only way to guarantee justice for all, especially the most vulnerable, is to ensure that we have strong, adequately resourced and independent institutions, allowed to function in full respect for the rule of law.
It is everyone’s duty to work for a change in mentality.
I conclude with an invitation to action in the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian and activist, who was killed 75 years ago in a concentration camp, precisely for refusing to close his eyes to the evil around him:
All waiting and looking on is irresponsible living. Only in action is freedom. Make up your mind and come into the tempest of the living.