Wrong theory on St Paul's shipwreck

In another section of the press I read about the History Of Malta as extensively researched by Fr Andrew Vella OP.

When in the early 1970s Fr Vella had finished the first volume I had offered that his work be serialised on the children's programmes. In fact he personally read and explained his work. This was very well received by children and adults alike.

A few years later, together with his students, Fr Vella continued to present the second volume of his scholarly work, which once again was first published on the children's programmes. I am very proud that I was closely associated with such an important contribution. In fact Fr Vella and I became very close friends.

Without in any way disparaging his excellent work I must point out an oversight. The readers must appreciate that in the 1960s and 1970s all research had to be done by cumbersome manual methods. The internet had not even been dreamt of. Therefore it was nearly impossible to verify every aspect. One topic that according to my studies requires clarification and correction is about St Paul's Shipwreck in Malta. I had never agreed with Fr Vella and although he accepted my views, he never amended his theory. St Paul could not have been shipwrecked in November and definitely not to the south of the island.

I have written on a number of occasions about this topic and wrong hypothesis.

With the Pauline year starting in June, I earnestly beg the Church authorities in Malta to set up a genuine study group to examine this topic and also about the contribution given by St Publius.

I hope that it will not take a number of centuries to admit that the earth is round and orbits the sun. In this modern age I understand that it is now even accepted that there could be other inhabited planets and therefore there is nothing to stop the ecclesiastical authorities from admitting that calculation mistakes could have been made and to rectify such slips and that after all long-held tradition has been correct.