No damage to St John's

On behalf of St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation I would like to clarify that the oil-based paint, referred to by James Tyrrell (The Sunday Times, November 23), was applied to the dado several years ago, before the foundation was set up.

In fact it was the foundation that took the initiative to remove the oil-based paint layer. The St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation would like to assure Mr Tyrrell and readers of The Sunday Times that since it has been set up to administer the Co-Cathedral there were no instances where oil-based paint was applied.

The foundation would also like to clarify that the power washing referred to by Mr Tyrrell in the refurbishment of the protective steel roof would only have been applicable if the treatment had been carried out off-site.

The works carried out on site did not involve any power washing. Moreover, all works were intentionally carried out in July and August and a waterproof structure set up specifically to protect the roof of the unlikely possibility of rain in the dry summer months. Hence, the Cathedral was never exposed to any real or potential damage.

As reiterated by the president of St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, Mgr Philip Calleja, the foundation would not take any risks that would involve apparent or real damage to the Co-Cathedral itself or to its historical adjacent buildings. The proposed extension of the museum is specifically intended to protect St John's and its historical adjacent buildings and to ensure that the church and its unique collections will be better displayed and most importantly preserved.

We would also like to remind your readers that the foundation is currently holding an exhibition of the projected museum extension and its restoration projects for all those who are genuinely interesting in learning more about the project and the foundation.