Catholic homes for the elderly still trying to keep losses sustainable

The Catholic archdiocese's homes for the elderly are still making losses and dependent on the direct subvention of the Catholic church. Over the past five years, €1.2 million was passed on as a direct subsidy from church coffers to five homes for the elderly run by the Maltese curia, which offers 240 beds for the elderly.

While residents pay for their stay, an average €6 per person per day is covered by the subsidies paid out by the Curia.

In the run-up to the presentation of its financial figures for 2012, the Maltese curia will be appealing for the generosity of the faithful in supporting its pastoral mission in the care for the elderly and the disabled, and its educational role.

"We have never considered closing down any of our homes, but we want to improve services and increase the quality of care we already offering to these residents," Curia administrative secretary Mgr Anton Portelli said.

Another 600 residents reside in care homes for the elderly under various religious orders, who finance and run their homes under a different structure not connected to the Maltese curia.

Speaking to journalists at the Dar San Guzepp home for the elderly in Naxxar, manager Joe Rossi said the management of the homes was currently investing in energy-saving projects and cutting down on wastage. "Overall, it's all down to the quality of care of our nurses and volunteers, who give over and above what is required of them. They have gone beyond their call of duty and we depend on this kind of service," Rossi said.

Rossi said an EU-funded solar panel project would allow the home to cut down on its energy costs. "What we are trying to do is keep our operations, and losses, at a sustainable level. We're not profit-making, but we need to keep these homes going."

The Maltese curia also runs various schools under its education secretariat, with teachers' salaries financed directly by the State under the 1992 Church-State agreement which included the transfer of Church-owned property to the State.