St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta
Present – H.E. The President of Malta – Dr. Miriam Spiteri Debono
Pro-Life Day – Sunday, 2nd February 2025, 11:30 a.m.
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Madam President, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank the Malta Unborn Child Platform which, after eight years, has once again honoured me with its invitation, and I take this opportunity to praise the Platform for the great contribution it has been making in favour of the life of the unborn child for more than twenty-five years.
The issue of protecting the unborn child is based on the sacrosanct principle that everyone has the inalienable right to life from conception until natural death.
With heads held high, the majority of Maltese people expect that the laws of the country, which defend life, are safeguarded. They expect that the right to life is non-negotiable. As they say in English: “Not Negotiable.”
Where are we heading?
Many of us, those who are aware of what is happening, have every reason to be concerned… deeply concerned… about the direction our country is taking.
In 2016, the morning-after pill was legalised with the guarantee from the head of the Malta Medicines Authority, Prof. Serracino Inglott, that it acts only as a contraceptive. This is not the case, because the morning-after pill can destroy early life in the womb. In 2017, a number of individuals challenged this law in court, but after more than four years, they were not even able to present their evidence because the Judge dismissed the case on a technicality. That is why I say that the Maltese courts cannot really be trusted to defend life in the womb.
In 2018, the Embryo Protection Act of 2012, which was the result of wide consultation, was repealed. With this change, the door was flung wide open for the loss of embryos – as had been warned and predicted. And today there are hundreds of embryos in freezers, with a future that is extremely uncertain. And the number keeps on growing.
In July 2022, another step was taken against life. Through pre-natal diagnosis, a law was passed that allows embryos with certain defects to be discarded.
Thus, the cursed principle of eugenics has been introduced into Malta, where authorities have the power to decide who is born and who is not.
At Christmas time 2022, we were faced with an attempt to legalise abortion through deceit, under the false pretext of protecting women who were facing difficult pregnancies where their lives were at risk.
In Malta, there was never any need for changes in the law.
The life of the mother has always been protected. It was thanks to the strong and public outcry by the majority of the Maltese people, and the testimony in favour of life from prominent persons, that the law did not pass.
I cannot fail to mention the aggressive, blatant, and continuous incitement in public for life in the womb to be deliberately destroyed, especially through Chemical Abortion.
I ask: – Where are the authorities to ensure that Malta’s pro-life laws are safeguarded?
However, not everything is negative.
The majority of the Maltese people are in favour of life and firmly believe that society should help pregnant mothers in need. It is with this aim that, in 2019, Life Network Foundation Malta opened Dar Tgħanniqa Ta’ Omm in Mosta, and last year, a new project with studio flats was launched to help women be strengthened so that they can face the future with greater independence.
Here we see the importance of Education.
Education in favour of life is the foundation of the mission of all those who truly cherish fundamental values. I feel that not enough is being done in schools to educate our youth on the reality of life and the harm of the culture of permissiveness, libertinism, and pleasure without responsibility. We must educate our young people to increasingly respect human dignity and cherish the virtues of sexual integrity.
Ultimately, this is a spiritual battle.
We must win the hearts and minds of our youth and show them the beauty of a culture of life, otherwise, we will not win this fight.
Like all those in favour of life, I wish to see a Malta where every life is loved, and every mother is supported. If it embraces a culture of life, Malta can build a society that truly celebrates compassion, equality, and respect for all. The well-being of society, our country, and future generations depends on all of us. Everyone must shoulder their responsibility according to their position.
It is not inevitable that the traditional Christian values that were the backbone of family and life will be lost. Malta still has the unique opportunity not to be dragged along with the current but to be a light in the darkness, a defender of the vulnerable, and a voice for those who have no voice. I invite everyone to join in this noble cause so that we ensure Malta fights against the culture of death.
Thank you.