/library/oar/handle/123456789/58152 2026-06-13T00:19:37Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/58384 Title: A theology of migration : mercy and education Authors: Dimech, Pauline Abstract: One of the mandates of UNESCO is to make education accessible to all, in law and in fact, and in this respect, Maltese governments have certainly delivered. Where the education of children and young people is concerned, the principles of non-discrimination, of equality of opportunity and treatment, and of (intellectual and moral) solidarity have been respected, and the constitutional right of all children to attend school has not been denied, regardless of the legal or social status of the parents. All children up to the age of sixteen are entitled to free education and are legally obliged to attend school. Access to education to Third Country Nationals (TCNs) is granted through various Regulations: those concerning the status of long-term residents (Third Country Nationals), those concerning the common standards and procedures for returning illegally staying TCNs, those concerning the right to family reunification, and so on. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/58313 Title: Immigrants at the gate of mercy and justice Authors: Grima, George Abstract: The title of this article evokes two images of the immigrant. One is implied the other is explicit, although conveyed in a symbolic manner. Those immigrants who are lucky enough to survive a very perilous journey from home to what they hope to be a promising land have to make the painful and yet crucial step of crossing the border. Countries have borders and the gates are often tightly closed and heavily guarded. The expression “immigrants at the gate” conjures up a picture of the immigrant standing on firm and solid ground, unlike the shaky and at times turbulent sea, but with no or very little chance of moving further on. The fate of immigrants at the gate is surely a matter of concern to the individual and collective conscience. It may not always be the case that those inside are being altogether indifferent to those waiting outside. But the religious and moral challenge remains, because the immigrants at the gate rightly expect that the gate at which they stand would be that of mercy and justice. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/58312 Title: Malta and its European neighbours as havens for migrants : what mercy? whose justice? which policies? Authors: Micallef, René Abstract: The four main words in the title - havens, mercy,justice, policies - indicate a reflection across four moments. Accordingly, in the first part of the article, the discussion Maltese national identity using the concept of “haven.” In the second part, it will link this to biblical mercy - as it applies to the phenomenon of migration - and then, in the third part, it will present mercy as a true and excellent way of living out justice. Finally, it will present some rights and principles included in Catholic Social Teaching on Migration and Asylum which I believe should shape the concrete decisions taken by policymakers. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/58245 Title: Foreword [Melita Theologica, 67(1)] Abstract: This special issue of Melita Theologica brings together the proceedings of an interfaculty symposium organized by the Faculty of Theology of the University of Malta on “Mercy towards Immigrants: Gospel and Society in Dialogue” which took place on June 6, 2016 at Villa Francia, an eighteenth century palace in Lija which was kindly made available to the organizers by the Maltese Premier’s wife, Mrs Michelle Muscat. This Symposium was one of the research projects launched by the Faculty of Theology during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (2016) inaugurated by Pope Francis to celebrate God’s merciful and compassionate love. 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z