Family pioneer awarded Italian decoration

Mgr Charles G. Vella has been awarded the decoration Cavaliere della Republica Italiana per la Solidarietà by Italian Ambassador Alvise Memmo on behalf of the President of Italy, Carlo Azelio Ciampi.

Mgr Vella, has, for these past 30 years, rendered civic and pastoral service in Italy, particularly in the field of family, social and bioethical work and the sick at the Istituto Scientifico Ospedale Universitario San Raffaele in Milan.

The award ceremony was held at the Italian Ambassador's residence at Ta' Xbiex and was attended by a number of personalities led by the Minister of Education and Labour, Louis Galea.

Before presenting the award, Ambassador Memmo referred to the various achievements of the work of Mgr Vella in Italy and particularly within the San Raffaele hospital which has become the most advanced and renowned hospital for care and research.

Minister Galea spoke on the pioneer work of Mgr Vella in Malta for the family and for the social and health care promotion in these islands. He said the award was also an honour for Malta.

In thanking the President of the Italian Republic, Mgr Vella said he considered the honour beyond personal merits but one bestowed on the Cana Movement and San Raffaele hospital which he had sought to bring to Malta. "Though the dream has not been realised, the beginnings of the new hospital are sown in my heart," he said.

Mgr Vella thanked the ambassador and all those present and quoted Blessed Mother Teresa, whom he had first invited to Malta, who said: "All we do is a drop in an ocean of love for God and all his children".