Malta letter

MALTESE `FINANCE MINISTER'
From a Special Correspondent MGR. EMANUEL GERADA, the newlyconsecra ted Auxiliary Bishop of Malta, has been appointed the first "Finance Minister" of the Church in Malta by Archbishop Gonzi.
The Maltese reforms followed soon after Pope Paul's sweeping reform of the Roman Curia. Archbishop Gonzi divided the local curia in two sections -a Pastoral one under Bishop Galea, Vicar General, and an Economic one to be headed by Bishop Gerada.
WALK-OUT
The National Day of Malta and St. John Co-Cathedral were the date and place for a quarrel between the Israeli and Libyan Chare d'Affaires. When Mr. Mohammed El Goweiri, the Libyan Chargé d'Affaires, arrived at the CoCathedral he found that there was no place reserved for him. Although he insisted that he sent an acceptance of the invitation, he was told that none was received.
An official of the Foreign Ministry tried to sit Mr. El Goweiri in a front row which did not include that of Mr. Eliahu Hassine, the Israel Charge d'Affaires. But a CoCathedral official led Mr. Goweiri to one of two empty seats which bore the card "Mrs. Hassine." The Israeli Chargé d'Affaires and Mrs. Hassine arrived soon afterwards.
As soon as Mr. El Goweiri noticed that Mr. Hassine was about to occupy the seat next to him he rose and ' slowly walked out of the CoCathedral. Later he went to protest formally at the Ministry of Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs.
CHURCH HOUSES The Church in Malta is building some houses in the modern district of Santa Lucia to ease the housing shortage in the island is the second Church housing project in Malta. The first, comprising eight blocks of flats, is in Blata I-Bajda.