One can only move forward with forgiveness, Fr Charles Tabone said this morning as family and friends paid their last respects to New Year's Day stabbing victim Duncan Zammit, 32.

The congregation at the funeral mass, at the Gesu Nazzarenu Church in Sliema, was led by Mr Zammit's wife Claire and their three-month-old twins Jack and Millie.

Fr Tabone told the congregation "we can only move forward with forgiveness. If this remains absent and we allow anger to rule it will only strangle our hearts of love.W

He said that the story of Jesus' death on the cross with his sorrowful mother at the foot of it bore similarities to this tragedy.

For at the foot of two crosses were the families and loved ones of Duncan Zammit and Nicholas Gera, the second victim of the tragedy.

"Then too many from high priests to Pharisees and passers-by all felt they had to speculate and spread rumours in a situation that gripped society.

"Let us shift our focus on the person who died and the suffering of our loved ones.

"Let solidarity dominate this tragedy and show comfort to the families," he said.

On Mr Zammit, Fr Tabone said that Duncan was a kindhearted man who was always smiling and who tried to lift the spirits of those around him.

"He was a good family man and an example to all. He shared the household life and responsibilities of bringing up his children with his wife Claire."

Duncan, Fr Tabone said, would not want life to stop here for his family and his wife should find the strength to continue with her life and raise their children.