Mgr Charles Vella celebrates 49th priesthood anniversary in London

Forty-nine years have passed since Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, then a young priest, was present at the ordination in Rome of Mgr Charles G. Vella, later director-general of the Cana Movement, on December 8, 1954.

To mark his anniversary Mgr Vella recently travelled to London where, at Westminister Cathedral, he met the Cardinal, who extended his greetings.

On the same day Mgr Vella celebrated Mass at the chapel of the Maltese Franciscan Sisters in St George's Road, assisted by his one-time colleague at the Venerable English College, Rome, Canon George Formby, and Fr David Camilleri.

Among those present were Dr George Bonello du Puis, Malta's High Commissioner in London, and his wife Iris, who were among the founder-members of the Cana Movement; Mgr Vella's brother, Alfred, his brother, his daughter Mandy and her seven-year-old son Simon; Marie Fountain, Connie Fiteni, who with her late husband Major Eddie Fiteni, were also founder-members of Cana, and Mgr Vella's cousin Derek Vella and his wife Helen, who were married by Mgr Vella 38 years ago.

All those present were looking forward to Mgr Vella's golden jubilee celebration on December 8 next year in Malta.