Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrated Christmas Mass with the families of the 22 Serbian children who recently found out that they may be facing eviction from the island. 

In his homily, the Archbishop addressed the story of Christmas and the acceptance of Jesus and one’s neighbours, alluding to the current situation of the Serbian families facing deportation.

“As a grown-up, he says: ‘Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done that to me’ (Mt 25:40). He is one with people who are in need, people who are knocking on our doors. What will our reaction be? What will our answer be? If we receive them, we receive him,” the Archbishop said. 

The mass, which was held at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta at 11 am, was attended by the Serbian families who only a few weeks ago found out that they could face deportation because their family earnings are not within the threshold stipulated by Identity Malta’s policies.

The policy stipulates that as well as the initial €19,000 to remain in Malta, parents of non-EU children are required to earn an extra €3,800 per child.

Last week, Archbishop Scicluna took to Twitter to announce that he is in contact with the government, offering the Church’s assistance to prevent the expulsion of these children.