DNA study reveals a Phoenician-Maltese link
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More than half of the Y chromosome in today?s Maltese population could have come in with the Phoenicians
This was revealed following a comparative study between DNA samples, such as a tooth from a human jaw ? which is around 4,000 years old ? found in a mountain cave at Raskifa, Lebanon, and DNA samples taken from Maltese men, along with other samples from men from around the Mediterranean.
JOHN PAUL THANKS MALTESE FOR “FIRM ADHERENCE TO THE FAITH”
VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) – President Edward Fenech Adami of Malta was received this morning by John Paul II who told him he was pleased “to welcome you to the Vatican so early in your term of office, and through you I send heartfelt greetings to the people of Malta.” President Fenech Adami was elected on April 4, 2004.
“Your visit today,” said the Pope, “occurs at an important moment in the history of your country. As Malta takes its rightful place in the European Union, it has a vital role to play in upholding the profoundly Christian identity of this Continent. In this regard I would like to express the Holy See's sincere appreciation for the support given by Your Excellency and the government of Malta for the inclusion of a reference to Europe's Christian heritage in the Preamble of the Constitutional Treaty of the European Union.”
The Holy Father underscored that “since the time of Saint Paul, Malta has been renowned for its firm adherence to the faith. I pray that it will persevere in this and I am confident that the Maltese people, well known for their dedication to the Church and, in particular, their great respect for family life, will draw others to a deeper appreciation of the liberating message of the Gospel.”
Pope John Paul has been to Malta three times: in May 1990, a brief visit to Luqa on the way to Africa in September 1990 and again in May 2001.
Source: Vatican VIS news
Pope thanks Maltese leader for support on European constitution
Vatican, Jun. 25 (CWNews.com) – As he met on June 25 with the president of Malta, Pope John Paul II (bio – news) voiced “the sincere appreciation of the Holy See” for Malta's efforts to include a reference to Christianity in the new European constitution.
The Holy Father told President Edward Fenech Adami that his visit to the Vatican was coming “at an important moment in the history of your country.” He was referring to Malta's entry into the European Union on May 1. He added: “As Malta takes its rightful place in the European Union, it has a vital role to play in upholding the profoundly Christian identity of this continent.”
The effort to include an explicit reference to Christianity in the European constitution– which was energetically supported by the Vatican, and backed by Malta– was defeated by the leaders of the 25 European Union nations. Nevertheless the Pope expressed his confidence that Malta would help to revive a proper appreciation for Christian culture, noting that “since the time of St. Paul, Malta has been renowned for its firm adherence to the faith.”
President Fenech Adami, in his previous capacity as prime minister of Malta, supervised the negotiations that led to his country's admission into the European Union, and successfully campaigned for public approval of that move in a national referendum in April 2003.
After resigning as prime minister, Fenech Adami was elected to the more ceremonial post of president in April of this year. In Malta, an overwhelmingly Catholic country, it is traditional for a new president to make his first state visit to the Vatican.
During his meeting with the Maltese leader, which was held in the library of the apostolic palace, Pope John Paul spoke in English– audibly, but with some difficulty in making himself understood. The public meeting was a festive affair, with the Pope obviously delighted by the presence of the Maltese president's six young grandchildren.
Source: Catholic World News
>>UPDATE:
81% of the electorate voted.
UNOFFICIAL:
49% MLP
40% PN
10% AD
1% INDEPENDENTS and OTHER PARTIES
It is UNOFFICIALLY estimated that two MLP and two PN candidates have been elected. Apparently the
Alternattiva candidate has not obtained enough votes (from those who usually vote PN) to get a seat. It is to be seen if those votes go to MLP or PN, and it is entirely possible that it will go to MLP, giving the party which was anti-EU a majority of seats (3) in the European Parliament. Some of their candidates are still euro-sceptics to this day and have said it loud and clear. The PM Dr Lawrence Gonzi had mentioned this possibility as a result of people voting for Alternattiva Demokratika instead of PN. This is what happened.
PN's Joe Saliba said that the majority of votes went towards Labour (MLP).
The Bishops of Malta and Gozo had stated that it is one's duty as catholics to vote for those candidates who were not pro-abortion, pro-divorce etc, but it seems that the electorate did not follow this. In fact many people interviewed on tv even were not aware of this statement of the Bishops.
On Satuday 12th June 2004 Malta and Gozo voted for its European Parliament representatives.
You can find information at the European Parliament website or at the Electoral Commision website. The latter site will publish results too.
Watch this site instead for any unofficial results that I may be aware of..
Pope hails entry of 10 new EU nations
Associated Press
Vatican City ? The Pope hailed the entry of 10 new nations, including his native Poland, into the European Union on Sunday and said it must rediscover its Christian roots to deal with diverse cultures and religions.
Pope John Paul has been a staunch supporter of inserting specific reference to the continent's Christian foundations in the new European constitution.
?The unity of the European peoples, if it is to be lasting, cannot however be only economic and political,? he told thousands of tourists and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for his weekly appearance from his studio window.
The pontiff said that ?the soul of Europe remains united even today because it refers to common human and Christian values.