Kurt Sansone
Archbishop silent on Cathedral project
The Archbishop has chosen not to comment on whether he agrees with the controversial underground museum in the middle of Valletta that is being proposed by the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation.
When asked for his stance on the project or whether he has any reservations about it, a spokesman for the Curia said Mgr Paul Cremona "does not consider it prudent to make any public statement for the moment".
"The Archbishop is following the issue closely with the competent organisations of the Archdiocese and with the civil authorities," the spokesman said.
The foundation was set up in August 2001 through a notarial act between then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca. The foundation's administrative council is jointly appointed by the Archbishop and the Prime Minister.
Its project has created widespread controversy amid claims that the excavation works could damage the cathedral itself.
Parliament will tomorrow debate the motion tabled by the Opposition asking the government to disassociate itself from the project. At least three government backbenchers have publicly spoken against the proposed development.
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was the first to publicly criticise the project in October. He said he had no trust in the planning process and criticised the foundation for conducting an environment impact assessment to "justify its choice" rather than search for the best possible option.
Former ministers Jesmond Mugliett and Ninu Zammit also expressed serious reservations about the project.
Mr Mugliett said he failed "to understand how it (the project) managed to get so much funding when other projects could have been more deserving".
He went as far as to say that when he was minister responsible for urban development there were various applications for regeneration, including in Valletta, but the indication from higher authorities was that there were little funds available in the budget.
In a bid to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation the Prime Minister is expected to amend Labour Leader Joseph Muscat's motion to give a signal that, where necessary, Parliament should be able to scrutinise major or sensitive projects.
However, the counter amendment is also expected to emphasise the importance of not interfering with planning processes and that such a project should be monitored by the planning authority.
It is unclear whether the PN will give its MPs a free vote on the matter. PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier avoided answering the question in an interview with The Sunday Times.
Instead he insisted that Dr Muscat's motion was "dangerous" and could create an "ugly precedent" since it interfered with the allocation of EU funds.
"I am not saying whether the party should or should not give a free vote on the project. This motion is dangerous and it should be defeated on this premise," he said.
The foundation is proposing to extend its museum by excavating new exhibition space beneath the cathedral, primarily to house a series of tapestries which are based on sketches by 17th century artist Peter Paul Ruebens.
The project was awarded almost €14 million from EU funds, which would be supplemented with another €2 million of the foundation's own money.
The environmental group Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar last week called for the resignation of the foundation's members after it discovered that plans to excavate the museum have been in place since before 2006.
It also said that reports drawn up by some of Malta's foremost heritage experts, which had not been revealed, did not mince their words as regards the high risk of damage to the cathedral from the project.
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Tim Ripard
Feb 10th 2009, 22:07
Why don't we ask God what to do? He always listens. Maybe for once He'll speak too.
lgalea
Feb 10th 2009, 22:04
St John's co-Cathedral is GOVERNMENT property.
It used to belong to the Order of St John which was the GOVERNMENT and when it was kicked out by the French, all its property passed on to the Maltese government as its successor, not to the Church.
apgrech
Feb 10th 2009, 18:35
Why do the tapestries have to be displayed in a Museum and not in the Cathedral itself, the place they were made for?
What is the difference if they are hung underground or in the church?
Franco Farrugia
Feb 10th 2009, 18:24
@ Mr de Domenico - I wouldn't say that.
I would say that he doesn't want to get involved in this matter because either he doesn't have a clue as to where the wind is blowing, or else because he has no idea how to set about, contradicting his representative/s on the Foundation.
I find it strange that he did not speak out about this matter - after all, the Co-Cathedral IS a Cathedral, even though not wholly belonging to the Church.
One could also give the Archbishop the benefit of the doubt - in that he prefers to work quietly and behind the scenes. Hmm... one wonders.
However, one thing I will say: if the Church in Malta eventually allows either of the two proposed projects to move ahead, then it will have lost its head and soul!
Alfred Zahra de Domenico
Feb 10th 2009, 16:51
By his silence the archbishop is yet again showing us all that the church leadership has lost both its values and its social conscience.
Franco Farrugia
Feb 10th 2009, 16:27
I spent considerable time writing in the press, particularly in The Times, about this Cathedral Project.
I also did my best to bring my opinion - which is that of NOT going ahead with any of the two envisaged projects - with both The PM as well as the Archbishop.
When I wrote to the PM, I was answered within the same day!
When I wrote to the Archbishop, no answer was due and it took a lot of emails to be finally answered .... not by HE in person, as was the case of the PM, but by a Reverend Secretary of his. There was no way I could relay my opinion to HE personally - there was always Fr Mario Camilleri, his Secretary, I presume, shielding off the Archbishop, telling me that the Archbishop had read this and had read that, that he told me this and he told me that.
Where is the personal touch of Malta's new Archbishop?
Don't tell me he doesn't know how to use emails, because I won't believe that.
Joe Vassallo
Feb 10th 2009, 15:05
Once again, two of the country’s leaders – the Prime Minister and the Archbishop – are failing Malta.
They are sitting on the fence, letting others decide because they are not capable of taking hold of this issue and solving it once and for all.
The only leader who has had the courage to speak out was Joseph Muscat – love him or hate him, you know where he stands. At last we have someone who is not afraid of taking a stand on something he strongly believes in.
Compare this with the pathetic attempt by Paul Borg Olivier, who, rather than coming out with a clear statement on what his party intends to do, tries to attack the Opposition’s motion.
Paul Borg
Feb 10th 2009, 12:20
Much as I admire the Archibishop,I have to say he is letting the people down on this. The people expect leadership from the leader of their Church, even more on a matter concerning Malta's most important Church.
If this goes through then the people will be asking if the Catholic Church in Malta has gone back to times when it is more interested in showing its silver than in helping the poor, and especially those losing jobs right now, since the 16million euros of this project could be used for many, many tourist projects that would give jobs to many who have just lost them.
Does that mean nothing to the Archbishop?
CARMEL DIMECH
Feb 10th 2009, 12:08
THE CHURCH COULD EASILY SPEAK IT ALL BY WITHDRAWN ITS REPS FROM THE FOUNDATION ,AND LEAVE IT ALL TO THE GOVT . BY DOING THIS THE CHURCH WILL ONLY GET RESPECT . PLS LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE .
John Carmel Navarro
Feb 10th 2009, 11:17
With all due respect his Excellency the Archbishop of Malta Mgr Paul Cremona just cannot avoid the issues and concerns being raised by the majority of the Maltese People who look up to him for guidance. St John’s Co Cathedral is within his jurisdiction therefore he does have a say, he needs to urgently state whether he is for or against. I appreciate that he is following the saga closely but there is a need to nip this in the bud, as if allowed to come to fruition this could destroy our Church’s credibility.
A.Gauci Cunningham
Feb 10th 2009, 11:11
The Archbishop cannot play with time as the problem is that we dont have any of it!! This project is a sham and this has been confirmed by--
The Heritage Advisory Commitee of MEPA (2006 & 2007 reports)
Flimkien ghall-Ambjent Ahjar
Alternattiva Demokratika
Partit Laburista
church comission for Cultural heritage
Valletta rehab. Commiteehe Cathedral chapter of Monsignors
GRTU
Sante Guido (responsible for restoration works in the cathedral itself0
The hundreds who signed an online petition, 380 facebook members who joined a facebook group in 2 weeks and many others who have publicly shown their opposition to the project as it is being proposed---profs henry frendo, Fr.Serracino Inglott, Dr.Albert ganado, Environmentalist Edward Mallia.....
Noone is backing this project apart from the foundation which is proposing it!!!
I think the above says a-lot about the project itself and how it is regarded by the general public!! The Archbishop has to decide; either with the people or with those who see as far as the tips of their noses!!
lgalea
Feb 10th 2009, 10:16
"When asked for his stance on the project or whether he has any reservations about it, a spokesman for the Curia said Mgr Paul Cremona "does not consider it prudent to make any public statement for the moment".
When will it be prudent Mgr?
When the decision is already taken?
Meta tkun diġa' saret il-froga?