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The MSSP Oratory Youth is pleased to present the latest edition of its Bible & Beer series: Life and Death: Church and Ethics. This event aims to provide a safe space where those attending are able to hold an open discussion pertaining to the many questions that surround such a topic. Guided and assisted by a panel of expert speakers, a number of issues will be tackled, amongst which the role of the Church vis-a-vis the will to end one’s life. Who holds a right over life? Do I have rights in such regard? What scenarios lead one to take one’s life? How can we help?* What is the Church’s position on suicide, and more importantly, how does faith play a role in all this? Young adults aged 18 up to 35 years old, coming over from all walks of life are invited to join us as we tackle this vast and thought-provoking topic.

The themes brought up here may elicit difficult thoughts and feelings. If you feel affected by any of these, professional support is available online 24/7 at kellimni.com. If you’d rather speak to someone over the phone, the mental health helpline can be reached at telephone number 1579.

Date: 30th January 2025

Time: 8.00pm

Location: Vecchia Napoli, Salini

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Youth reflections from past events

  • We live in a world where many have their own opinion, but we rarely give each other the chance to develop it in a healthy way. Being able to listen and discuss particular topics with other youths can help widen your perspective as you become aware of a reality you might have not yet considered.

    Martina Laferla
  • Why bother listening to a talk? Why not instead simply email the text to every potential member of the audience? Bible&Beer have created new connections amongst participants and key speakers, and spread curiosity, understanding, empathy and excitement through words. It gave words the life they deserve.

    Bernard Grech
  • Bible and Beer … Personally, I think it’s a wonderful initiative to have a conversation and have your voice heard in a setting that is safe but most importantly, judgment-free. I believe that this concept has the potential to develop to contribute to the much-needed social change in today’s world.

    Roberta Cassar
  • It was a very different and enriching experience – I believe that it is very necessary for the Church in Malta to create such spaces of dialogue and encounter where different ideas, thoughts and reflections can challenge and give life to our Christian faith in the 21st century.

    Matthew Grech
  • Despite the fact that I have a bigger affinity with beer than with the Bible these events intrigued me from the start.

    Having a safe space to discuss current hot topics is rare nowadays and this event has provided just that, with the extra benefit of knowledgable and engaging speakers to keep the conversation flowing.

    Julian Vella
  • A true experience of reciprocal hearing done in great humility. Bible & Beer is a true experience of fraternal dialogue, where hot topics were discussed, taboo’s abandoned and we could all share our thoughts, listen to expected but above all receive the gift of one another as we are, with our own stories, perspectives and understandings.

    Ben Flores Martin
  • It is a very enjoyable experience which always leaves you wandering why there isn’t more like it.

    Alec Grech
  • The energy I felt and the genuine philosophical enthusiasm of so many young people was exhilarating. It was a breath of fresh air to share a conversation with people who are sincerely ambitious to make the world around them a better place. That kind of hopefulness in the good of this world has become very rare nowadays.

    Mark Lawrence Zammit
  • I truly enjoyed my experience at Bible&Beer. At first I was a bit skeptical because I was seated with people I didn’t know & I was concerned that our differing opinions might trigger a hostile environment but it was certainly not the case & I feel that that the whole point of events like this is to listen to different views & end up respecting them.

    Tez Saliba
  • Attending Bible&Beer events has been a profoundly enriching experience for me. These gatherings offer a unique blend of thoughtful discussions about faith and scripture in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The casual setting makes it easy to engage in open, honest conversations, whether you’re a seasoned believer or just curious about spirituality. I’ve found that sharing perspectives over a drink creates a sense of friendship and deepens our collective understanding of the Bible’s teachings. It’s more than just an event; it’s a community where you can explore your faith, ask tough questions, and build meaningful connections. I highly recommend joining the next Bible&Beer event to anyone looking to grow spiritually while enjoying good company and conversation.

    Brandon Farrugia
  • For me Bible & Beer was a space where I could ask questions on current and often controversial subjects. The panel members encourage us to come out of our shell and look at the subject with an open mind. I encourage every youth to attend, but be ready to be challenged on your opinions!

    Lara Borg
  • For me the sessions of Bible and Beer serve as an eye opener, especially on those subjects that affect me in the flesh like the subject of LGBTQI. I also like these sessions because people who don’t come to church can also attend. So I have the chance to listen to their opinions and sometimes I get to open my perspective more on something that I have never thought about.

    Lynn Aquilina
  • For me, Bible&Beer provides a space to open one’s self to differing testimonials and opinions on topics and realities which as a “young” Christian I often contemplate and struggle to reconcile. In these sessions I have found solace in knowing that I am not alone in my struggles and have found guidance from the shared experience of panelist and attendants alike.
    I believe that anyone who is struggling to reconcile between their Christian beliefs and the realities of every-day-life would be greatly benefitted in participating in these sessions.

    John Parnis
  • With today’s fast paced lifestyle it is easy to put our own Hu aside. The Bible and Beer discussion meetings aim to address common daily issues in a more welcoming and relaxed environment. I highly recommend these sessions to youths from all walks of life especially those who seek to enrich their own faith even further.

    Clint Grima
  • The Bible and Beer sessions opened my eyes to the importance of compassion and understanding, highlighting how our diverse backgrounds shape our perspectives. They constantly remind me that dialogue with people of different opinions is of tantamount importance in the mission of the Church.

    Alan De Martino
  • Bible and Bear provides a space for great discussions on vital day to day matters from the Church’s perspective. As an accountant I was particularly interested in the session called “Redefining currency” whereby among other topics was discussed work life balance and greed for more money.

    Nicholas Ferry
  • Bible&Beer is a comfortable space where people can discuss very tangible everyday issues through a Catholic lens. I believe that our faith is not to be compartmentalised to church, or prayer groups – but it ought to be lived in the mundane tasks of everyday. It was therefore very interesting to discuss issues such as finances through the spiritual perspectives in a friendly and informal manner, whilst enjoying the company of friends and good food.

    Maria Giulia Pace
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MEET THE PANELISTS

Dr. Jürgen Abela is a Principal GP with the Ministry for Health and a leading figure in Community Palliative Care. Deeply committed to supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses, he ensures compassionate care during their final stages of life. As part of Hospice Malta’s dedicated team, Dr. Abela strives to uphold dignity and comfort for patients in their last moments. Beyond his clinical work, he has made significant contributions to the field through published research on end-of-life care, shaping its ongoing development and impact. His unwavering dedication highlights the profound importance of palliative care in healthcare today.

Mgr. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, former Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta, is a distinguished scholar in philosophy and theology. With advanced studies and prestigious fellowships at Georgetown University and the University of Tuebingen, he has established himself as a leading authority in bioethics, moral theology, and professional ethics. Prof. Agius is a member of the European Group of Ethics in Science and New Technologies and the Pontifical Academy for Life, contributing to global initiatives with UNESCO and the European Commission. In 2020, he received Malta’s highest honour in recognition of his impact on bioethics.
Dr David Cassar has been Consultant Psychiatrist for 34 years and was Head of the University Department of Psychiatry for 24 years. He is qualified and trained from the University of Malta, the University of London, Emory University, Atlanta USA, and the University of Warwick, UK. He is also qualified in Medical Leadership. A Commonwealth Scholar in the UK and Humphrey Fellow in the US, he has special interests in student support, community and rehabilitation psychiatry, quality improvement and patient safety. He has also served as Medical Director at Mater Dei Hospital. His greatest privilege is that of being of service.

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