Surprise for many, if not shock, at the that APS, originally a small bank belonging to the Church in Malta with a social mission to help low-income earners, was now in talks with HSBC to take over its Malta operation – or at least big chunks of it. This international bank came to Malta controversially and seems set to leave it in like manner. The regulatory, financial and transparency aspects of such a takeover are not the interest of the present contribution: these are best left to experts in the respective fields.
Neither is the question whether such a deal would be in the national interest: that is for politicians to decide on. But is it or is it not in the interest of the People of God in Malta for a bank owned by the Church to buy, or to settle for some kind of relationship with, HSBC? Would such a move make the Church more evangelical? Would it render her a more beautiful Bride of Jesus Christ? In an era of synodality, which Church groups or committees have been consulted about this matter? We have been publicly informed by a member of the Kunsill Rappreżentattiv Djoċesan – the topmost committee in the Archdiocese of Malta with voting powers binding the bishop – that it has not been involved. And where are the three Shepherds of the flock in all this? Surely they cannot abdicate their responsibility and leave the matter to a board of directors? The law gives the shareholders the last say.
If they were to do this, they would not only have washed away the smell .