A Mediterranean Vision: The Soul of Theology in Practice
MELA aims to nurture peace-building through encounter and dialogue in the Mediterranean and through our “Mediterranean” heritage of sea-and-landscape, the memory of our traditions (religious/cultural), and the actual encounter of peoples always on the move. This requires collaboration with the diocesan Mediterranean coordination and with local and regional bodies.
The aim is to offer a living meditation inspired by a theology from the Mediterranean, which sees the divine not as distant, but as intimately present in the earth, in history, in dialogue, and in the face of the other. From the texture of the soil to the saltiness of the sea, stories from around the Mediterranean passed down from one generation to another speak of hospitality, shared suffering, resistance, memory, and the sacredness of a space that becomes a place. In Malta, we are not simply in the Mediterranean; the Mediterranean is in us. Following the MED 25 events in Malta, three themes emerged as the most pressing:
- Spiritualities and healing: A powerful response to systemic exclusion is the intentional cultivation of life-giving relationships rooted in equality and mutuality, leading toward genuine reconciliation;
- Embracing femininity through education: The enduring power of the feminine presence has long served as a bridge to the divine, cultivating peace, dialogue, and deep reflection;
- The creative arts: The creative arts offer a powerful path to liberation. Rooted in a Mediterranean perspective, artistic expressions invite reflection and connection.
These insights invite a deeper engagement with the Mediterranean as a theological landscape, exploring how God is revealed through its land and cultures. They challenge us to rethink what it means to be “Mediterranean”, shape our spiritual imagination, and cultivate a theology of encounter, welcome, and peace—learning to love the other and embrace the unknown beyond fear. Through this, we seek to foster hope, dialogue, and shared transformation.
