The Archpriest of the Basilica of St George in Victoria, Gozo, Canon Joseph Curmi, has weighed in on the ongoing debate sparked by Bishop Anton Teuma’s recent homily condemning childcare centres for very young children.
In a pointed statement, Canon Curmi declared: “Perhaps childcare is not cost-free after all.” He strongly defended the Bishop of Gozo’s position, emphasising that the comments are not about blaming parents. Instead, he argued, Bishop Teuma is defending parents’ fundamental right to parent their own children.
Canon Curmi highlighted the Bishop’s professional background and extensive experience in working with families and children. Before his appointment, Bishop Teuma specialised in family therapy and worked tirelessly—often seven days a week—with those in need. This expertise, Curmi stressed, informs his call for honest, serious engagement with child development issues—an area frequently overlooked or ignored.
He criticised other professionals in the field for remaining silent on the potential harmful effects of placing infants (from three months to two years) in childcare, despite evidence from science and real-life experience. Society, he said, too often dismisses this evidence.
By raising these concerns, the Bishop urges a fundamental rethink of Malta’s policies on childcare and family support. Policies, Canon Curmi insisted, must prioritise supporting parents in their primary role rather than pushing them into full-time work models that sideline family life.
He dismissed claims that the Bishop is “out of touch” with modern parents, arguing the opposite: society itself is out of touch with children’s developmental needs. Ignoring these needs, he warned, comes at a steep price—personal emotional strain, strained interpersonal relationships, and broader societal costs that cause genuine pain and long-term harm.
This intervention from Canon Curmi adds weight to the growing discussion in Malta and Gozo about balancing economic pressures, workforce participation, and early childhood wellbeing. Bishop Teuma’s homily—delivered during a Mass for expectant parents—has drawn both sharp criticism from politicians and working parents defending free childcare as essential support, and praise from figures like media personality Peppi Azzopardi, who echoed similar concerns about an economic system that forces both parents to work overtime just to get by.
As Malta grapples with low birth rates and family challenges, Canon Curmi’s suggested that one should, listen to evidence on child development and empower parents to choose what is best for their little ones—not just what fits the current economic model.
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