Watch: Gozo Bishop’s Heartfelt Homily – ‘I Want People To Be Less Rich But More Caring’
Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma is drawing praise for a heartfelt homily in which he called for society to shift away from material values and towards a greater sense of humanity.
“I want to see churches that are less beautiful than the current ones and that about to collapse but that are full of people as this church is today,” Fr Teuma said in a homily at St George’s Basilica, Rabat, to mark St George’s Day.
“I would like to see fewer lovely houses but stronger families, with better relationships and more love between parents and their children. I would like to see people own less property but less infighting among heirs.”
“I would like to see fewer buildings going up and up but more properties available for our youth. What a paradox. Our Gozo is full of buildings but a youth must sweat blood to buy one of them and spend at least 30-40 years paying off a mortgage.”
“I would like to see feasts that are smaller and less majestic, but that are attended by happier people. I would like to see youths who aren’t alienated by alcohol and drugs but who have peace in their hearts in their everyday lives. I would like to see people less well-off but who care for each other, not just themselves.”
He said that these characteristics are ultimately Christian values and tied his speech into the commemoration of St George’s Day by pointing out that St George’s greatness didn’t lie in his dragon-slaying abilities but in the way he converted a nation to Christianity.
What do you make of the bishop’s speech?
READ NEXT: Three Men Fined €26,000 For Involuntarily Causing 19-Year-Old Worker's Death And Breaching Safety Regulations
