Maltese Church seeking to provide palliative care services for terminally-ill patients

Archbishop Charles Scicluna announced on Monday that the Church was looking for a suitable property for a new palliative care home for people with terminal diseases. The announcement follows calls by the Maltese bishops to members of parliament to oppose euthanasia.

The new home will be called ‘Dar il-Hniena’ (Home of Mercy) and it is aimed to be the Maltese Church’s solution for those afraid of dying without dignity, due to the suffering brought about by terminal diseases.

Scicluna said it was hoped the service could be offered by a foundation set up with the collaboration of other interested parties.

He said the setting up of ‘Dar il-Hniena’, 50 years after the ‘Dar tal-Providenza’ was established, would be a perfect way to celebrate the year of mercy, which Pope Francis had asked to be celebrated with such work of mercy.