FAA calls for resignation of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation members
The environmental group Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar has called for the resignation of the members of St John’s Cathedral Foundation after research it carried out revealed that foundation plans to develop an underground museum got underway before 2006.
The museum is being proposed by the foundation to house the vast range of artefacts that adorn the CoCathedral, including the world unique set of 29 pieces of Flemish tapestries.
FAA said this afternoon that its findings had serious implications in that for two years, this major expenditure on Malta’s premier public monument was never revealed to the public, nor presented in electoral manifestos.
It also indicated that the plans to excavate most of St John’s Street and Square in front of the Cathedral, were already known before the re-paving of St John’s Street and Merchants’ Street at great public expense.
The FAA said that reports drawn up by some of Malta’s foremost heritage experts, which were not hitherto revealed, did not mince their words as regarded the high risk of damage that the project could cause.
These reports came from the Heritage Advisory Committee, the Planning Authority’s Integrated Heritage Management Unit and the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee to MEPA.
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said it was extremely perplexed by the Foundation’s decision to ignore the reports highlighting the project’s strong risks to the Cathedral,
drawn up by heritage authorities which included some of Malta’s most respected heritage architects.
The foundation was determined to waste €150,000 on an EIA in an attempt to press ahead with its project, irrespective of geology expert statements that geological studies in a built-up area were not conclusive due to rock fissures remaining concealed and subsequently subsiding once excavations begin, resulting in cracks to the walls of St. John’s and damage to the artistic marble paving.
The foundation’s decision to press on regardless of the risks to the structural stability of the Cathedral indicated a shocking lack of responsibility on the part of the Foundation, as did its failure to bring this project to the attention of the public over a span of two years.
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Louise Falzon
Feb 7th 2009, 23:37
Excellent work FAA! I agree with IGalea. It's about time we all stand up to be counted to save our national heritage in the face of such blatant arrogance.
Joseph Mercieqa
Feb 7th 2009, 23:28
Well done FAA!
There is finally somebody who is slowly but surely exposing the real issues in Maltese heritage - Total ignorance by key government appointed persons who think they know it all and expect their opinion to be implemented even if going against the real professionals out there. This mess of impositions at St Johns, even on technical matters, has been going on for far too long!!!
I'm sure government remembers its electoral promises to let democracy filter down to such board member appointments... or has he forgotten all about it?
These scandals have been going on for far too long.
lgalea
Feb 7th 2009, 21:09
Go on FAA, organize a demonstration against this arrogance by the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation members.
Their arrogance knows no bounds.
Alfred E Baldacchino
Feb 7th 2009, 20:59
What two world wars have not managed to do to the people's priceless heritage, unfortunately stands a very good chance of being accomplished by us Maltese.
Peter micallef
Feb 7th 2009, 19:22
Is it not time for the FAA to organise a mass demonstration and march through Valletta by the people of Malta against St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation and the Government to impress upon them that our voice WILL be heard.
J. Abela
Feb 7th 2009, 19:11
Thank you FAA!!!
There are other solutions to this matter.
malcolm seychell
Feb 7th 2009, 18:54
Shame on Mons Calleja and the rest.
Thank you FAA
Henry J Bonett
Feb 7th 2009, 17:42
This is absolutely incredible! A small group of people are entrusted with the running of a treasure that belongs to us all. With sustained arrogance , as if it was their own, they make plans and go it their own way against the clear advice of experts, the church and the wishes of the vast majority of us who own it. If this were really a democratic country they would resign of their own will when it is blatant that those they represent are vociferously against their plans. If they do not do so, then there must be the authority that represents us to make them do so. St J's C Foundation MUST RESIGN!!!
James A. Tyrrell
Feb 7th 2009, 17:36
Is this the same Foundation who stated on numerous occasions that they would never do anything to put the structure of the Co-Cathedral at risk? Well done everyone at FAA for bringing this disgraceful matter to the attention of the public.
Helena Psaila
Feb 7th 2009, 17:22
We should be extremely grateful for FAA's work... all this would otherwise have remained under wraps
Maria Falzon
Feb 7th 2009, 17:06
This is the way our whole country is governed. The same can be said for the old theater site. It is not mentioned in the budget or any pre budget document, and then it comes out of the hat just a few days later. No sense of planning or vision. This country is managed by an ad-hoc government.
Dr EMMY BEZZINA, LL.D.,B.A.,STh.,
Feb 7th 2009, 16:47
Liberal Democracy in our Country demands in this particular Case that ALL THE TROUPE representing our Foundation relating to St John`s Co-Cathedral should not only RESIGN EN BLOC, but a COMPLETE TRANSPARENT DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE ASSETS IT HAD TILL 2006 & POST THAT PERIOD BE PUBLICISED.
MALTA has seen much arrogance through some of its representatives whereby for instance the yound Leader of the Opposition was practically ordered to SHUT UP on the matter,and by whom?This is simply NOT ON. My Party ALPHA which will be contesting the JUNE 06TH 2009 EP Elections through my Candidature has already stated that a National Referendum should be held whereby this could be held concurrently with the aforementioned Elections to cut on Costs - with that another Referendum about MALTA DIVORCE considering that now Maltese can travel and obtain Divorce from an EU Member State such as Luxembourg if the Commission`s Directive is adhered to.
EU MALTA will not permit that a handful of persons administering vast amounts of public money take over vital decisions over internationally and nationally incomparable Monuments we have as the Case in point. I back the recommendation for RESIGNATION!