Jason Micallef pledged to confront Fr David Muscat over FATF mass

Jun 24 2021

Fr. David Muscat, known for his provocative statements, posted a statement saying ‘Greylisted – Glory glory Alleluia!’ to Facebook following the decision by the FATF. He also announced that a solemn hymn of ‘Te Deum Laudamus’ will be sung to thank God for this news. Muscat has constantly criticised Malta’s financial and gaming industries, stating them to be built on structures of sin.

Prompted by the post, Valletta Cultural Agency chairman Jason Micallef pledged to confront the controversial priest at his chapel. Micallef noted how Muscat still has permission from Curia to deliver mass at the Speranza Chapel in Mosta. On the day of confrontation, Micallef was seen out walking his dog and watching over Fr. David’s proceedings.

Concluding that the priest was not celebrating mass but only serving morning rosary, Micallef decided against the confrontation. He did however state that he has every ‘right to express [his] view about a priest who said this mass, which it is not after all, would be a thanksgiving for Malta’s FATF grey listing.’

He added that the Catholic worshippers involved who might not have seen the post on social media should know that the mass was against Malta itself. He pointed out that he won’t tell them about Muscat’s ‘boast[ing] of watching pornography at night, but his statements celebrating grey-listing are, according to Micallef, unacceptable.

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Photo Source: Jason Micallef FB, FrDavid Muscat FB

Second AstraZeneca jab earlier than planned for 7,000 people

Jun 24 2021

7,000 people will be getting their second AstraZeneca jab earlier than planned as the health authorities will be taking the precaution against the Indian Delta variant. The Malta Independent was informed about this rescheduling, revealing that people who got their first dose and had second appointments 10 weeks later are being given earlier appointments.

Messages are allegedly being sent to people stating ‘our aim is to get you fully vaccinated’, along with new appointment dates. The Malta Independent was informed by the Health Ministry that the interval between the two doses for this particular vaccine allows for a range between 4 to 12 weeks. Malta has allegedly enough stock to affect around 7,000 people. Malta is not the first country to move up jab dates, as the UK has done so following a surge in cases.

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Photo Source: BBC

Kevin Paul unsure about participating in X-Factor or MESC

Jun 24 2021

Writing on Instagram story, Kevin Paul opened up about why he is unsure about competing in either X-Factor or the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. This follows the news that the two contests will be two separate events, with X-Factor rewarding the winner with a whopping €50,000 instead of sending them as Maltese ambassadors to the annual Eurovision Song Contest. Kevin stated that he is confused as to which competition he would participate in or whether or not he should enter in the first place.

He stated that competitions worry him as, despite loving the stage and celebrating music, what happens after the competition is immensely demotivating. He asks whether artists competing in such competitions are still respected after the ‘opportunities’. He also asks whether being eliminated means that an artist is good enough or not. He stated he is afraid of participating as the beauty of art is that no one can be like anyone else and thus no comparison can be made.

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Photo Source: @kevinpaul_official IG

Bernard Grech calls FATF grey listing a punishment for the entire nation

Jun 24 2021

Opposition leader Bernard Grech described the decision by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to grey-list Malta as a punishment for the entire nation. In a brief video statement on Wednesday following the news, Grech expressed his dismay at the international decision. He emphasised how this moment is not the time to remind people why this point was reached. Rather, it is ‘time to work to achieve a national consensus.’

Grech urged the government to create a ‘unity task force’ by joining forces with the Nationalist Party. This task force will coordinate work to limit the damage caused by the grey-listing decision. Grech said that the FATF will be meeting in October and Malta should work to get back onto the white list by that time.

The Prime Minister later addressed the task force idea proposed by Grech but dismissed as there allegedly already exists a similar body. Abela stated that the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) is headed by Finance Ministry permanent secretary Alfred Camilleri.

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB