What is Catholic Voices
Catholic Voices is a project which began in the UK to improve the Church's representation in the media, above all in news programs and debates. It started in 2010 with the six-month training of 24 lay people and a priest in preparation for the UK visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Our appearances on over 100 programs at that time made a big impression on bishops and broadcasters alike and we were urged to continue.
Since then the project has grown in many ways in the UK and has spread quickly around the world: so far over 20 CV groups have started in different countries in Europe, the Americas and Australia (see the list of contacts and websites here).
Catholic Voices Malta
Catholic Voices Malta has been recently launched following the training of over 30 lay people willing to engage in a dialogue with the Maltese society through debates, programs, seminars, printed and electronic media.
Recent surveys have shown that 94% of the Maltese population still identify themselves as Catholics despite the efforts of a those who seek to project Malta as a secular country. Catholic Voices Malta seeks to represent their voices, aspirations and the values that have underpinned our culture.
We accept the challenge that Pope Francis has made to the laity on the 30th April 2015 when he addressed Italy's Christian Life Community and the Student Missionary League, inviting the laity to stop watching from the balcony and to get right into public square.
“Given today's "throwaway" culture and so many problems unfolding in the world, "Do I as a Catholic watch from my balcony? No, you can't watch from the balcony. Get right in there!" Pope Francis
We understand that our mission as Catholic Voices Malta is to put the Catholic Church’s case in the public square. We speak as Catholics inspired by our experience of faith and out of our desire to contribute positively to society through the sharing of the rich heritage of our tradition’s reflection on humanity and culture.
The mission of Catholic Voices Malta is to advance the Christian Values that have underpinned the Maltese society over the years, as a means for the continued betterment of our Society and to be a Voice for those like-minded who still believe that these values have a positive contribution to give to the public debate and the formation of public policy and legislation.
At the heart of the Catholic Voices is an approach designed to avoid the defensiveness and self-defeating responses which many Catholics instinctively deploy in the face of hostility and rather seek a genuine dialogue that centres around the common values that our society shares.
This is not the moment for Catholics to retreat in their homes, parishes or prayer groups, rather this is the moment as Pope Francis says to open the door of our Churches and let Jesus out. The Gospel and the Church consistently put this challenge before us, we are a response to this call and our mission is to put the Catholic perspective in the public square.
Catholic Voices does not represent or speak on behalf of the Maltese Bishops' Conference but has its blessing.
Need a Catholic Voice?
If you need a member of Catholic Voices for a comment on the media or to participate in a TV or Radio Programme, do get in touch.