Religion in Malta
The Constitution of Malta establishes Catholicism as the state religion, and it is also reflected in various elements of Maltese culture.
According to a 2018 survey, the overwhelming majority of the Maltese population adheres to Christianity (95.2%) with Catholicism as the main denomination (93.9%).
The Assumption of Mary known as Santa Marija is the special patron of several towns in Malta and she is celebrated each 15 August.
[6][7] Combined survey figures suggest that around half the population are not practising Catholics, or adhere to a different religion, or to none.
[citation needed] Article 2 of the Constitution of Malta states that the religion of Malta is the "Roman Catholic apostolic religion" (paragraph 1), that the authorities of the Catholic Church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and wrong (paragraph 2) and that religious teaching of the Catholic apostolic faith shall be provided in all state schools as part of compulsory education (paragraph 3).
Malta, a signatory to the Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights, made a declaration saying that it accepts the protocol's article 2 (on parents' right to have their children educated in line with their religious or philosophical views) only insofar "as it is compatible with the provision of efficient instruction and training, and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure, having regard to the fact that the population of Malta is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic".
Malta was the last European country (excluding Vatican City) to introduce divorce in October 2011 after voting in a referendum on the subject earlier in the year.
[13] Over the years some loopholes (non-inclusion of outer territorial waters, no mention of advertising) permitted individuals to circumvent the ban for limited time periods.
Roman Catholic church schools are largely funded by the state[17] and, under a 1993 Concordat with the Vatican, they are not obliged to provide any sex education.
In 2014, an ethics class was created for those who choose not to attend school religion lessons, which are still part of the curriculum.
[4] In a 2021 State of the Nation survey commissioned by the Maltese President,[27] 93% of respondents said they believe in God, and 60% said religion is important to them.
In his last visit he beatified three Maltese people: George Preca (who was then canonised in 2007), Nazju Falzon and Adeodata Pisani.
[29] In April 2022, Pope Francis visited Malta in commemoration of St Paul's Shipwreck on the island.
The Coptic Orthodox Church congregation forms part of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and worships in St James' Chapel in Żebbuġ.
As of 2020, there are a reported 10 congregations and 783 Jehovah's Witnesses in Malta, with 1,245 who attended the memorial of Jesus death that they host yearly.
[35] Combined, survey figures suggest that around half the population are not practicing Catholics, or adhere to a different religion, or to none.
[36] The 2021 Maltese census found a total of 23,243 residents (5.1 per cent) who stated that they did not belong to any religion, religious denomination, or body.
