Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi has called on Malta to strive for truth over lies, integrity over corruption and the protection of vulnerable people, as the country marks Victory Day.Delivering his homily during this morning’s Pontifical Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Galea-Curmi said that while 8th September commemorates Malta’s victories of the past, the country must also reflect on “the victories that Malta is called to strive for today.”“Today’s victories are not against some foreign enemy laying siege to our country, but victories within Maltese society,” he said.Among these, the bishop highlighted what he described as the need for a “victory of truth over lies”.“It is truly a great defeat when lying becomes a way of life, and perjury becomes a normal practice,” Galea-Curmi said, arguing that Malta needs people who value truth over popularity and what is right over what is convenient.He then turned to “the scourge of corruption”, warning that corruption erodes society’s moral fibre.“Corruption does not become wrong the moment it is exposed; it is wrong when it is committed, and wherever it is committed, even if it remains hidden,” he said.Galea-Curmi argued that integrity requires putting the common good before personal interests, ensuring public service does not become personal gain and refusing to allow conscience to be “sold for the sake of convenience”.“Integrity helps us fight against the web of organised crime which, through its intrigues, subverts justice,” he added.The bishop also used his Victory Day message to speak about the protection of human life, environmental destruction and the treatment of vulnerable people.Turning to Malta’s environment, he described its destruction as “an assault that has battered our islands”, warning that future generations have a right to inherit a country that has not suffered irreversible damage because of today’s decisions.He also argued that the strength of a society should not be measured by the luxury enjoyed by some, but by the progress of its most vulnerable members, specifically mentioning how crises such as recent power outages disproportionately affect vulnerable people.The homily was delivered less than a week after Yorgen Fenech was acquitted of complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and conspiracy to murder her.“On Victory Day, may we remember that we move towards our vision for the years ahead through the victories we achieve today,” Galea-Curmi concluded.Cover Photo via DOI Malta•