An agreement has been signed between the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta and the Archdiocese of Malta providing for a house located at the entrance of the Archbishop’s Seminary in Tal-Virtù, Rabat, to be used as a residence for student-priests from developing countries.

The two-storey house is currently being completely refurbished. It will be able to host up to five priests who would be reading for a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Theology in Malta. There are currently four student-priests reading for this degree, three of whom are from Zambia and one from Malawi, but they have been offered temporary accommodation by welcoming communities till the house is completed.

The commodatum (a loan for use) stipulates that the house will be used exclusively by the Faculty of Theology as described above for a period of 15 years, after which the loan may be renewed. According to the agreement, the refurbishment and maintenance of the property will be carried out by the Faculty itself, which will also cover expenses for the running of the house, such as those related to food, water, electricity, and internet consumption.

Since the house stands on the Seminary campus, which includes a school, the residents of the house would need to undergo the Protection of Minors Act screening as is required of employees who work within the precincts.

The agreement was signed on 11 March 2021 by Prof. Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta and Rev. Dr John Berry, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, on behalf of the University of Malta, and by Mr Roberto Buontempo, Head of Property of the Archbishop’s Curia, and Rev. Fr Albert Buhagiar, Rector of the Seminary, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Malta.

“The house shall be named Casa Fratelli Tutti,” said Rev. Dr Berry, recalling the name of the recent encyclical on fraternity and social friendship issued by Pope Francis last October. “It will be a sign – and hopefully not just a sign, but also an instrument – of fraternity in today’s fragmented and individualistic world.” 

University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella said that one of the priorities of the University of Malta is to facilitate the journey of its international students. He commended the Faculty of Theology for providing postgraduate students with an adequately equipped place that will see them progress through their studies at the university in the smoothest way possible. 

Those wishing to contribute to this cause may donate via the following details:

  • IBAN number: MT81APSB77013000000035387310036
  • BIC Code: APSBMTMT
  • Account name: AOM – Faculty of Theology (Support to African Student-Priests)