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Sexuality laws to be strengthened following homophobic attacks
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday announced that laws will be amended as a result of two incidents, which seem to have been provoked by homophobic motives, within the past three weeks. “It is worrying to have had two incidents of the sort in such a short time,” he said. In his statement at Castille yesterday afternoon, following which no questions were taken, Dr Gonzi was referring to the attack on a 16-year-old lesbian and her girlfriend in Ħamrun, by two brothers in their late teens, in the third week of January, and the assault on a woman bus passenger by an off-duty bus driver last Friday. While urging for prudence in comments since the cases were still being investigated and subject to court procedures, he said it needs to be made clear that society should always respect the person to the full, irrespective of race or sexual orientation. The government wanted to pass the message that we should be proud to respect every person to the full and this needs to be emphasised by action, he added. His statement had two aims; that of communicating a message to society, and to stress that laws should be strengthened and enforced.(independent.com.mt) It is obvious that all humans must respect each another, whatever their differences
The real reason for the delays in Cospicua’s Dock One works
Replying to questions raised during Question Time in Parliament on Monday, Minister Austin Gatt explained why the works on the landscaping of the Dock One area have fallen behind. He was replying to a series of questions by Joe Mizzi (PL) who said the delay was a disgrace and the residents were very angry especially at festa time when the main road was still in shambles. And a woman had fallen and died on the spot, he added. Dr Gatt said the unfortunate woman had died of other causes. The delay was caused by the Italian company which had won the tender for the works not keeping to the stated times. Pressed as to whether this Italian company had been fined, Dr Gatt said that the fines for non-compliance are drawn up at the end of a contract. There was, however, something else: It is practically impossible to rescind a contract midway when a contractor is not delivering and to assign it to someone else (as is done in the private sector) for Contracts Committee rules say that a fresh call must be made and the process restarted. Helena Dalli (PL) asked the minister if this had been brought to the Cabinet’s attention and Dr Gatt said that steps were being taken to address the situation.(independent.com.mt) If the service is not up to the task, why did the state hire him? However we need to trust the administration.
Episcopal ordination of cardinal-elect held at St John's
Mgr Prospero Grech OSA was consecrated Bishop at St John’s Co-Cathedral this evening in a ceremony led by Archbishop Paul Cremona. The ceremony was held 10 days before Mgr Grech is appointed Cardinal by Pope Benedict. The consecration Mass was attended by President George Abela, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and a large congregation which included many Augustinian priests led by their Superior-General. The rite of consecration started immediately after the reading of the Gospel with the singing, in Latin, of a prayer to the Holy Spirit. Mgr Grech then approached Mgr Cremona , who was sitting on his throne on the left of the altar. The Archbishop asked if the Papal decree for the episcopal ordination had been received. The decree was then read out, to applause. Mgr Cremona in a homily said the announcement that Mgr Grech was to be made Cardinal was received with joy by the Maltese Church. Mgr Cremona spoke on how the Lord had given the apostles the right to consecrate those who succeeded them. Bishops, he said, had a central role in preaching the Gospel and being witness to the whole Church.(timesofmalta.com) If Mgr Prospero was devoted to cardinal by Pope, it's recess he deserves.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday announced that laws will be amended as a result of two incidents, which seem to have been provoked by homophobic motives, within the past three weeks. “It is worrying to have had two incidents of the sort in such a short time,” he said. In his statement at Castille yesterday afternoon, following which no questions were taken, Dr Gonzi was referring to the attack on a 16-year-old lesbian and her girlfriend in Ħamrun, by two brothers in their late teens, in the third week of January, and the assault on a woman bus passenger by an off-duty bus driver last Friday. While urging for prudence in comments since the cases were still being investigated and subject to court procedures, he said it needs to be made clear that society should always respect the person to the full, irrespective of race or sexual orientation. The government wanted to pass the message that we should be proud to respect every person to the full and this needs to be emphasised by action, he added. His statement had two aims; that of communicating a message to society, and to stress that laws should be strengthened and enforced.(independent.com.mt) It is obvious that all humans must respect each another, whatever their differences
The real reason for the delays in Cospicua’s Dock One works
Replying to questions raised during Question Time in Parliament on Monday, Minister Austin Gatt explained why the works on the landscaping of the Dock One area have fallen behind. He was replying to a series of questions by Joe Mizzi (PL) who said the delay was a disgrace and the residents were very angry especially at festa time when the main road was still in shambles. And a woman had fallen and died on the spot, he added. Dr Gatt said the unfortunate woman had died of other causes. The delay was caused by the Italian company which had won the tender for the works not keeping to the stated times. Pressed as to whether this Italian company had been fined, Dr Gatt said that the fines for non-compliance are drawn up at the end of a contract. There was, however, something else: It is practically impossible to rescind a contract midway when a contractor is not delivering and to assign it to someone else (as is done in the private sector) for Contracts Committee rules say that a fresh call must be made and the process restarted. Helena Dalli (PL) asked the minister if this had been brought to the Cabinet’s attention and Dr Gatt said that steps were being taken to address the situation.(independent.com.mt) If the service is not up to the task, why did the state hire him? However we need to trust the administration.
Episcopal ordination of cardinal-elect held at St John's
Mgr Prospero Grech OSA was consecrated Bishop at St John’s Co-Cathedral this evening in a ceremony led by Archbishop Paul Cremona. The ceremony was held 10 days before Mgr Grech is appointed Cardinal by Pope Benedict. The consecration Mass was attended by President George Abela, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and a large congregation which included many Augustinian priests led by their Superior-General. The rite of consecration started immediately after the reading of the Gospel with the singing, in Latin, of a prayer to the Holy Spirit. Mgr Grech then approached Mgr Cremona , who was sitting on his throne on the left of the altar. The Archbishop asked if the Papal decree for the episcopal ordination had been received. The decree was then read out, to applause. Mgr Cremona in a homily said the announcement that Mgr Grech was to be made Cardinal was received with joy by the Maltese Church. Mgr Cremona spoke on how the Lord had given the apostles the right to consecrate those who succeeded them. Bishops, he said, had a central role in preaching the Gospel and being witness to the whole Church.(timesofmalta.com) If Mgr Prospero was devoted to cardinal by Pope, it's recess he deserves.
