Malta may just be a small European nation, but its Roman Catholic Church leaders are speaking big about the protection of life.
Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Bishop Mario Grech recently issued a joint pastoral letter where they reminded the faithful to "always protect life, everywhere and at every stage."
"We Christians have a special duty to cherish life because for us, human life is a gift from God, who alone is its master from the beginning to its end. No human being, therefore, can assume for himself the right to directly destroy the innocent life of another, or to regard some persons as having no value or as obstacles," the Church officials said in the pastoral letter posted on the Maltese Church's official website.
Scicluna and Grech also cautioned Christians in Malta about the use of "morning after" pills, which they said can kill unborn babies.
"The life of the human being, from the very first days of its existence, can be threatened when pills or other medicines are taken with the aim that the life that has been conceived in the womb is prevented from developing, rather, destroyed. The effect of certain pills in certain circumstances can be abortifacient," the two prelates stated.
They added that in case a Christian still has doubts about the scientific effects of these pills, the decision should "always be in favour of protection of life."
Aside from warning about this abortifacient, the Roman Catholic Church officials also warned about the practice of euthanasia, reminding the Christian faithful that death should take its natural course.
"Certainly we do feel for each person who is experiencing such suffering. However, we also believe that the value of human life does not depend on whether the person is healthy or satisfied with the quality of his or her life. We also believe that euthanasia can never be in the best interest of the patient," they said.
They also urged health officials should improve giving care and encouragement to patients who are experiencing suffering, instead of offering them death.
