The 200-year-old crucifix that was badly damaged when it was pushed off the altar at St Mary of Jesus church (Ta' Giezu) in Valletta, last April, was put back in its place on Saturday after restoration. A foreign man had entered the church while Fr George Aquilina was saying Mass, climbed the steps behind the altar and dislodged the antique crucifix.

The mother-of-pearl crucifix, a masterpiece, was broken into several pieces. It is one of the earliest examples of papier-mâché works on the island, made by Franciscan minors in Jerusalem.

The restoration was entrusted to Fr Charles Vella, who studied art and restoration in Italy, and sponsored by Bank of Valletta.

Fr Vella reconstructed both the crucifix and the cross. The body has been re-built on a stainless steel frame. Materials traditionally applied in such cases, such as rabbit glue and gesso di Bologna, have been used.

Missing parts of the crucifix have been filled and touched up, while pieces of mother-of-pearl have been replaced by wax on a fibreglass net, that produces a similar effect because it is translucent.

"Every intervention is reversible, which is an important process in restoration. So if better materials become available, my work would not have damaged the original," Fr Vella said.

A 33-year-old foreigner had been charged in connection with the incident but was declared to be in a state of insanity at the time of the act.