Ċensu – etched in our hearts

There are times in life when one has to stop, take stock and reflect. These days, we have mourned the loss of Ċensu Tabone. He will be remembered in many ways.

Ċensu was determined yet loyal in all he did and said, throwing his weight behind his Prime Minister and leader on all issues at all times- Lawrence Gonzi

Much will be written about him and what he did; I will leave it to the experts to detail the many facets of his life. I would like to pay tribute to a man of values and principles that will no doubt be the lasting legacy of Dr Tabone, or as his fellow Gozitans like to remember him – Ċensinu.

Ċensu’s first legacy is that of family values. His intrinsic belief in the value of marriage and family is evidenced not only in his speeches and interventions but through his life. As a family man, Ċensu was totally dedicated to his wife Maria who stood by his side through thick and thin.

When I last visited him at home on the occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary, his eyes still twinkled when he looked at Maria – theirs was an eternal love affair. Never a quiet man, it is his eyes that said it all with his wife.

His love for his family was unconditional and uncompromising. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were with him round the clock, were his pride and joy. In his own way he showed us all the true value of marriage and family. He never claimed to have the perfect recipe yet showed us all by example how important the family is to the fabric of Maltese society.

Ċensu was religious – a staunch Catholic and firm believer who never missed daily Mass. Standing up for his convictions and true to his beliefs, he was principled and unwavering in his faith.

Never shying away from his beliefs Ċensu remained open-minded and inter-generational – seeking an understanding of his faith and ensuring that in all he did it was clearly interwoven.

Ċensu was a professional. As a well-known politician and ac­tivist, he always reminded us that he was a doctor first and that this was his one great love. Always on the front line of his profession his greatest achievements were in the field of the eradication of trachoma from Third World countries as the first ophthalmologist to be engaged by the World Health Organisation.

He often didn’t charge a cent to those he treated. He was true to his profession and always true to those who came to him for assistance.

In Parliament and within the party he was always the eye specialist, with his implements close at hand diagnosing and treating all those who needed him from either political camp.

Ċensu was loyal. Entering politics in his later years, he was a phenomenal orator and great debator. He was well known in political circles for having an opinion on everything.

Not easily convinced, Ċensu was the perfect person to have close at hand as he was always open, honest and frank with the way he felt and delivered it with equal vigour.

He could always be relied upon to speak the uncomfortable truth on any issue, which is a true virtue in politics.

He was determined yet loyal in all he did and said, throwing his weight behind his Prime Minister and leader on all issues at all times. He always preached to us emerging politicians the virtues of loyalty. His loyalty to his party, to the country and to the Maltese was evident in all he did.

When he was appointed President he accepted with humility and obedience, despite him being Foreign Minister for a short stint at an incredibly sensitive and important time for Malta.

Indeed, it was at this stage that he would have to face his harshest test – with a boycott looming over his head he managed in a few years to overcome his hurt and become a President of the whole nation – never involving himself in party politics again and ensuring that the Presidency was elevated to a new level.

For this, he has been applauded and was rewarded with the proposal of a second term by the same opposition that had boycotted him. Again, loyal to the country, he refused a second term not wanting to create an unnecessary precedent.

Ċensu was a true Christian-Democrat. True to his beliefs at all times, he fought for democracy and worked tirelessly to ensure a better life for all Maltese and Gozitans. He often said that while democracy is far from the perfect system it is the best we have got and worked consistently within these aims.

Ċensu was inter-generational. One of the older Members of Parliament and often looked upon as the grandfather of the nation, Ċensu was youthful in his outlook. He kept up with the times and adopted computers at the age of 80, enabling him to keep pace with his profession while encouraging his generation to do the same.

And finally, Ċensu was determined when faced with negativity or adversity. I remember his passionate debates in Parliament, standing his ground against those who dared ridicule what he was saying, even though he listened carefully to what was being said in order to respond in as comprehensive a manner as possible.

He was active in politics at the hardest times, even suffering a bomb threat outside his family door. His determination when faced with adversity was impressive.

Ċensu, your work in the medical, political and social fields will be etched in Maltese history while your values and principles that you stood so firmly for are etched in our hearts.

Lawrence Gonzi is the Prime Minister.