About
The core of the Pastoral Plan
…Synodality is a style, an attitude that helps us to be Church by promoting authentic experiences of participation and communion.
Pope Leo XIV
26/06/2025
The Archdiocese’s Pastoral Plan for the years 2026–2029 has as its main objective the promotion and consolidation of a synodal mentality. This process, while addressing the reality of the present, prepares the Church to be able to face in an efficient and sustainable way future challenges, in particular those related to sustainability and inclusion.
In this context, the plan aims to strengthen and renew the way in which the Church lives out its identity and mission more authentically, how it identifies and prioritizes areas of service, how it plans and organizes pastoral work, and how it effectively carries out its mission. This also involves a review of certain existing operational models, the strengthening of relationships, and the active recognition of the Holy Spirit’s action throughout the whole people of God, according to their various vocations.
Synodality – understood as communion, participation and mission – is not simply a project, initiative or structure, but a fundamental attitude that must be internalized in the lives of individuals and communities. This requires a continuous process of conversion, formation and maturity. Although pastoral structures and initiatives alone do not lead to communion and participation, if they are not well designed, and relevant to the culture and circumstances in which they exist, attitudes of communion and participation will be only beautiful theological concepts, but not feasible, and the mission will end up manifesting itself in activism.
Therefore, this pastoral plan does not foresee the introduction of a large number of new initiatives or visibly extensive changes, but aims to bring about a qualitative renewal in the way the Church lives and exercises her mission. The change expected is primarily at the level of ecclesial culture and pastoral practice.
This priority should not detract from the value and commitment already present in the various areas of the Archdiocese’s pastoral work, but should serve to strengthen, coordinate and make more complementary existing initiatives, so that they are more authentically Christian, relevant, effective, and applicable in the current context and adaptable to future contexts.
Among the main challenges facing the Church in the Maltese context, the following stand out:
- the sustainability of pastoral work, in light of a model that has so far relied predominantly on the clergy and religious;
- the need for more structured and continuous spiritual, theological, and pastoral formation;
- cultural and social transformations, including the growing presence of Catholic communities of different nationalities.
The principles of communion, participation and mission offer a coherent framework for addressing these challenges in an integral manner.
In this process it is clear that participation in the mission is the responsibility of the entire People of God, each according to his or her calling. This requires an attitude of humility, openness, patience, and continuous conversion, but at the same time offers a prospect of hope and renewal. Therefore, we are called to abandon ourselves to God and let him show us and lead us to the next step.
The strengthening of the synodal attitude should lead to a renewed in the way in which the Church in Malta lives and carries out its ministry, and at the same time develop a more synodal environment in preparation for the existence of a Diocesan Synod, where this process will reach its fullness.
The Style of the Pastoral Plan
Being a Synodal Church means recognizing that we cannot possess the truth, but rather seek it together, by allowing ourselves to be guided by a heart that is concerned and in love with Love… Let us strive to build a Church that is entirely synodal, entirely ministerial, entirely drawn to Christ and therefore open to service.
Pope Leo XIV
Homily to the Synodal Équipes – 26/10/2025
This Plan seeks to translate the theological principles of synodality into concrete and implementable pastoral lines of action in the context of the Church in Malta. Its content is built on:
- the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church;
- the reading of the signs of the times;
- and the fruit of various processes of ecclesial discernment that took place as part of the previous plan.
The theological deepening of the themes was developed during the various consultation meetings with stakeholders from various sectors as well as in the Diocesan Assembly. These processes were themselves an experience of synodality:
- of communion because the theme was explored together;
- of active participation, because all those involved had the opportunity to give their contribution to the deepening of the theme and to the formulation of pastoral priorities;
- of mission, because the theme was being explored with the aim of more people recognizing the beauty of God and their role within the Church.
The same methodology will be adopted in the implementation phase. The team responsible for the plan will offer support to the ecclesial entities in drawing up their respective action plans, through meetings (where requested), with those involved in the entity, especially those involved in its leadership. These meetings will serve in themselves as a synodal experience.
In order for the plan to be accessible and practical for all pastoral operators, clear and direct language is being used, which facilitates the practical implementation of the indications given. (see the speech of Pope Francis)
To improve its access and use, the plan is being presented in digital format. This allows for continuous updating, easy access to documents related to the subject, and sharing of resources and ideas between different entities. In this way, the lively contribution of the various entities on the platform becomes in itself an act of synodality.
Teams
The Maltese Episcopal Conference and the Archdiocese have formed teams to promote synodality within the local Church.