Updated - Priest dies in Tal-Barrani crash
A young priest from Qormi - Rene' Cilia - died and a woman was injured this morning in a crash at Tal-Barrani road.
The accident happened at about 6.30 a.m. on the road from Zejtun towards Sta Lucija.
The police said that according to preliminary investigations, a Vauxhall Zaphira which was being driven towards Zejtun hit the centre strip and crossed to the opposite carriageway.
The car was being driven by the 27-year-old priest, who was heading towards Zejtun, where he served.
His car crashed into two cars coming from the direction of Zejtun - an Isuzu TFR driven by a 63-year-old man from Zabbar, and a Hyundai i20 driven by a 51-year-old man, also from Zabbar.
The priest died on the spot. The driver of the Hyundai was hospitalised while the Isuzu driver was unhurt.
A Magisterial inquiry is under way.
People on the scene described Fr Cilia as a jovial priest. He became a priest two years ago and worked as a counsellor in schools.
Fr Rene'
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Andre` Vella
Nov 5th 2012, 16:18
There is not doubt you will be dearly missed. An extremely sad loss - too young to die.
F. Pisani
Nov 5th 2012, 07:15
My you rest in peace Dear Friend.
G Desira
Nov 5th 2012, 07:14
Rest in peace Fr Rene, you was a very devoted priest.
Condolences to his family
Carmen Laudi
Nov 5th 2012, 00:25
...this proves to us all that Only the Good die young... although we do not know you Fr. Rene may you rest in peace and enjoy the fruit of thy labour with the Heavenly Lord.
Our condolences from Toronto.
xxx
Mark Anthony Fenech
Nov 5th 2012, 00:04
Am truly shocked... RIP.
Stannis Baratheon
Nov 5th 2012, 00:01
Dear God, you took away a very good and beloved priest from us. I am very unhappy with your decision and I demand to know why you did this cruel thing to us. RIP Fr Rene.
Stannis Baratheon
Nov 4th 2012, 23:56
Such a faithful servant of God, yet God did not watch over him and chose a horrible way to take our beloved Fr Rene from us.
Karl Andrew Schembri
Nov 4th 2012, 23:49
Naf li fejn tinsab, tinsab kuntent żgur... imma jien kif se naċċetta n-nuqqas tiegħek... nitolbok biex għalhekk tibqa' f' qalbi, u tibqa' miegħi sakemm nerġgħu niltaqgħu... għalija mhux faċċli xejn, kelli bżonnok... dejjem kont inħares lejk bħala eżempju għalija u dejjem xtaqt infassal ħajti fuq xi karatteristiċi minn tiegħek... int dejjem kont hemm meta kelli bżonnok... RIP
Hossam Helwani
Nov 4th 2012, 23:21
This is the time when we bow our heads and wonder, why why why? There is no explanation to such pain.
God Bless his soul, and we hope he is now resting.
Amanda Mifsud
Nov 4th 2012, 22:17
May God Grant him Eternal rest in his Glory
carmelo cutajar
Nov 4th 2012, 21:50
C CUTAJAR Ahna il familja kollha ma nistawx nemnu li hallejtna hekk father RENE ma ninsewk qatt zgur li Santa Katerina laqghetek hdeja fil genna,strieh fil paci,
RAY FAVA
Nov 4th 2012, 21:34
Dear God. Why did you need to take such a young man so early in his life and in so doing leave his family profoundly grief stricken? I do try to understand but I fail to do so. Ray Fava
andreana attard
Nov 4th 2012, 23:49
I ask the same question. These things make me question my faith.
Albert Grech
Nov 4th 2012, 21:04
Ghaliex?
Joseph Mifsud
Nov 4th 2012, 19:09
RIP Fr Rene we the parisioners of Zejtun will miss you very much.
Rocco Camilleri
Nov 4th 2012, 18:56
Veru kos ma' tafx meta l-Mulej jigi biex jaqta fjura mill gnien tieghu. Kulhadd jitnikket ghal tragedja bhal din imma ahna ma' nifmuhx lil Mulej 'Alla' taghna. Kiefra imma kulhadd irid jghamilha din. Nghati l-kondoljanzi lill familjari tieghu u nitolbu ghalihom, kif ukoll nitolbu lill Mulej jilqa fi hdanu lil dan il-qassis li halliena f'eta zghira fejn diga kien beda jghamel hafna gid fil-komunita
A. Borg
Nov 4th 2012, 18:33
Fr. Rene kont twajjeb wisq biex tibqa f'din id-dinja. Il-Bambin dan il-gojjel riedu ghaih. Itlob ghalina minn hemm fuq biex xi darba jmissna x-xorti li nkunu hdejk. Addio habib.
Edwin Demajo
Nov 4th 2012, 18:22
Rest in peace Fr. Rene'
Edwin Demajo
Nov 4th 2012, 18:20
Edwin Demajo
Kondoljanzi lill-familja tieghu R.I.P.
M Grima
Nov 4th 2012, 18:12
Qed jiddispjacini hafna nisma din l-ahbar. Dun Rene kien persuna li jhobb hafna liz-zghazagh u lil familja. Ma kienx jisthoqlu mewta daqshekk krudili. Ghadni niftakar immur il-Live-Ins tas-Seminarju peress li jien student hemm u kemm dahhakna u ccajta maghna. Niftakru wkoll jigi waqt il-lezzjoni tal-Malti u jkellimna u prezentalna ktieb illi u kien kiteb u anke iffirmahhuli. RIP u kondoljanzi.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 4th 2012, 18:10
Fr. Rene` Cilia is definitely already sitting on the right hand side of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Condolences to all his family.
B. Storace
Nov 4th 2012, 18:04
Was it a tyre burst? Was he over speeding? Was he under the influence of alcohol, Drugs or medication? Was it an oil spill? Was it a slippery road due to the time of day, that is a mixture of dust and dew?
Will we ever know why this man of God lost his life so tragically?
Freda Harris
Nov 5th 2012, 11:38
Hopefully the results of the police investigation will be published so that the public can learn from this tragic accident or will everything be swept under the carpet?
Yorath Abela
Nov 4th 2012, 17:52
Rest in peace. We all miss you very much. I remember you telling me: 'when I die,you pray for me and someday one of you will become a priest like me'. I am sure you are looking after all of us from Heaven. Thanks for all you've done for us!
joanne pace
Nov 4th 2012, 17:13
Rest in peace Fr. Rene'
Lisa Camilleri
Nov 4th 2012, 16:32
rest in peace
A. Mifsud
Nov 4th 2012, 16:16
CRASH BARRIERS (appropriately installed) SAVE LIVES.
John Caruana
Nov 4th 2012, 15:31
Mulej għati lilu l-mistrieħ ta' dejjem u sabar lil familja tiegħu. Ħu ħsieb Mulej li tibgħatilna malajr sacerdoti żelanti biex jieħdu postu
Ruth Muscat
Nov 4th 2012, 15:11
A shock indeed. Rest in peace Fr Rene
Michael Bugeja
Nov 4th 2012, 14:55
Oh x'hasra, ma niflahx narah ,x'telfa ghal dik l-omm ul-missier. Mulej sabbarhom fit telfa kbira tal l-ghaziz binhom,kemm ghamel gid u kemm kien se jaghmel izjed gid qalb iz-zaghzagh.Rene strieh fil paci.
Victoria-Jane Krejci Buttigieg de Piro
Nov 4th 2012, 14:48
How sad!
Mr leo attard
Nov 4th 2012, 14:18
rest in peace
Anna Maria Pisani
Nov 4th 2012, 14:15
Fr. Rene, it has been a great shock to hear of your accident. May God help your family to accept this tragedy. You were a good Priest, a good friend, a ray of sunshine wherever you were. Pray for us from your new home in heaven. Once I told you I am going to pray for your priesthood, now I will continue praying for your family. Your friends from Vittoriosa
S Azzopardi
Nov 4th 2012, 14:12
May this good man rest in peace !
JUDITH SCHEMBRI
Nov 4th 2012, 14:02
RIP IL MULEJ JIEQAF MAL GENITTURI
JUDITH SCHEMBRI
Nov 4th 2012, 13:59
RIP
Peter Agius
Nov 4th 2012, 13:50
I was one of the first to be on hand. For me you were another person who needed help. But I knew that you were already in the hand of the almighty GOD. May you rest in peace. The rest is superflous.
anthony brincat
Nov 4th 2012, 13:44
smajt ahbar habib issummajt cemplitli it tifla pa rene miet kemm kont niehu pjacir nitkellem mieghak il gimgha ahhar li kellimtek metaberikli il kurcifis srieh fil paci mal mulej habib tony
G Buhagiar
Nov 4th 2012, 13:44
A very bad news on Sunday morning! shocked by the tragic death of Fr Rene` Cilia...
R.I.P dear Fr Rene`
Mark Amaira
Nov 4th 2012, 13:40
O Mulej agħtih il-Glorja ta' dejjem.
Kondoljanzi lill-familja tiegħu.
Gabriel Gauci
Nov 4th 2012, 13:11
Jalla l-Mulej jagħti l-mistrieħ ta' dejjem lil dan is-saċerdot. Kien bniedem sempliċi, ta' umiltà kbira, u b'sens ta' care għal kulħadd. Mill-ftit li sirt nafu dan is-sajf fil-parroċċa taż-Żejtun, indunajt ukoll li kien ferħan u mħeġġeġ li kien qassis. Għallimni wkoll kif għandi mmur mat-tfal u l-adoloxxenti li tant kienu jħobbuh.
Agħtih o Mulej il-mistieħ ta' dejjem!
George Tabone
Nov 4th 2012, 13:03
It was a shocking moment when we came to know...We couldn't believe it was you. I'm sure you will be watching us from a better place...our hearts goes for your family. No one knows God's paths but "nothing happens without a reason" (San Gorg Preca)
George & Alexia
Dion Borg
Nov 5th 2012, 08:25
..agreed, this time the reason being no crash barrier installed in the middle of a dual carriageway..it could most probably had saved his life and others being hurt...this is a wake up call..RIP father..and pray for us that maybe the authorities will listen.
margaret mercieca
Nov 4th 2012, 12:58
What a waste! Condolances to his mother and all the family . Lord grant him eternal peace.
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 4th 2012, 12:40
What a tragic start for Sunday Morning.
:(
Simon Polidano
Nov 4th 2012, 12:37
does this mean that this crash is unrelated to another I saw on Barrani road (direction of Birzebbuga) at 11:30 pm last night? 4cars were involved in this one... That's 2 major accident in 6 hours on the same road... I live in Buga and I have to say, Tal-Barrani and Dalam Road are very dangerous. Just last week a car was overtaking another one and had we not swerved out of the way, we'd be dead
B Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2012, 12:35
R.I.P. Fr. Rene. Always in our hearts. From the Zejtun Community
Robert Gatt
Nov 4th 2012, 12:29
Rest in Peace Fr Rene...we used to hear your homilies and hear you say mass in Zejtun parish, and I remember getting impressed each time hearing such simple words of yours catching the attention of many followers. I also vividly remember some conversations we had in the recent past, and your kind advice which I distinctly recall. May your family find solace in such difficult times. R.I.P.
Adrian Vella
Nov 4th 2012, 12:27
I was deeply shocked and saddened on hearing the news this morning. Fr. Rene was a very gentle and friendly priest. Fr. Rene was a very gentle, joyful and friendly person. I am sure that many people were deeply inspired with his work and words of love and comfort. He was a great priest with a modern vision for the church. “Fr Rene, May You Rest In Peace!” We will surely miss you!
Ronnie Callus
Nov 4th 2012, 12:17
Very sad news. May God give strenght to his family and embrace Fr.Rene in heaven. Rest in Peace Fr.Rene and thanks for all the work done in the communities and schools.
Franco Abela
Nov 4th 2012, 12:12
ALL MAIN ROAD SHOULD HAVE CRASH BARRIERS SEPARATING THEM!!! WHY SUFFER AN INNOCENT DEATH???
Wilfrid Buttigieg
Nov 4th 2012, 13:15
Yes! I agree Franco! That road definitely needs a crash barrier! TM please take note!!!!!
Matthew Camilleri
Nov 4th 2012, 13:17
Some bushes won't keep a car from crossing. This is the same as Corradina Hill road near the mosque. If one looses control then its the end of him and others.
Karl Abela
Nov 4th 2012, 12:09
If this 27 yr old was not a priest we would have accused him of drink driving, excessive overspeeding or using his mobile phone.
Funny how perspectives can change so dramatically in a society that liberal thinking is still hundreds of years away.
RIP
James Buhagiar
Nov 4th 2012, 13:38
I hate to admit.. but I was thinking just the same!
Mario Brincat
Nov 4th 2012, 13:42
prosit Karl, exactly my thoughts.
I was reading all the comments before I submit mine so that I can count how many of the usual hypocrites criticized the person involved in this fatal accident, but being a priest they all withdraw from their otherwise judging keyboard.
as for Fr Rene', RIP
Alex Buds
Nov 4th 2012, 14:15
My thoughts precisely.
Maryanne Spiteri
Nov 4th 2012, 14:38
It is not a question of being backward (or as you so unidiomatically put it 'a 100 years behind') but because the person is known and unlikely to have been doing anything similar. And let's face it, a young priest driving to his parish is far less likely to be out of it than a young person driving home after a night clubbing or drinking. Generalisations are awful, it is true. But then so was yours
A. Axisa
Nov 4th 2012, 16:54
Well, it could be that more people knew him personally since he was a friendly priest.
May God console his mother, brothers, and family.
Hossam Helwani
Nov 4th 2012, 23:24
Come on now, this is not fair! When we talk and condemn such accidents, do you believe we like what we read? the answer is no. This is one particular case where one is stunned. Many youngsters die because of negligence and too much exess carelessness. This is a different case and I am sure there will be a massive inquiry about it. I do not think it is fair to compare, but this is a real one
Dion Borg
Nov 5th 2012, 08:32
..agreed 100% this is an eyeopener for TM..we need our roads to be safer,it's not only boyracers that can have accidents,even a eclestiastic server,who I have no doubt respected traffic rules and other road users..RIP.
Gisele Schembri
Nov 4th 2012, 11:55
I knew Father Rene personally since way before he became a priest. I am still under shock that this had to happen to such a good man who loved to help everyone and was always smiling.
Ruben Abela
Nov 4th 2012, 11:45
Dun Rene', yesterday evening we were all gathered together with our altar boys where you briefed us with your usual always joking manner on the plans you had for them. Who made us to think that you were to celebrate your last mass with us? God had a different plan for you.
R Falzon
Nov 4th 2012, 11:38
Father Rene, RIP. Tragedja kbira. Xokk kbir ghal Qriema wkoll. Meta niftakru fit-tragedja ohra li laqtet lill-familja tieghu ftit ilu, ghafsa kbira go qalbna. Father Rene mar jiehu hsieb lil missieru d-dinja l-ohra. Kondoljanzi kbar lil Ommu li zgur ghaddejja minn dulur kbir. Ma nistghu naghmlu xejn hlief nitolbu ghalihom.
J Portelli
Nov 4th 2012, 11:38
can't believe to my eyes. RIP Dun Rene
Clint Calleja
Nov 4th 2012, 11:33
Rest in peace Rene. God has prepared a beautiful place for you near Him.
James Wightman
Nov 4th 2012, 11:26
You are in our prayers father
Tanya Borg
Nov 4th 2012, 11:19
So sorry to hear about this tragic death . Although I did not know you personally I know that during the time you spent on this earth you did a wealth of good ! No one can understand the ways of the Lord but we need to believe in them. Will sorely miss your Sunday mass at Zejtun !
May you rest in peace and may the Lord that you loved so much embrace you. Praying for your family.
Doris Farrugia
Nov 4th 2012, 10:55
I think that stretch of road is in need of a crash barrier and maybe could have saved his life and protected the other drivers on the opposite side.It's so sad to start a Sunday morning with a loss of life.R.I.P.
Giuseppe Azzopardi
Nov 4th 2012, 10:52
Min ahna biex nifmhu it-triq imhejjija ghalina mill-Mulej?Telfa kbira kemm ghall-knisja universali ta'Kristu u akbar ghall-familja.J'alla l-Mulej itikhom l-ghajnuna f'dan il-mument ta' dieqa.
Gabriella Piscopo
Nov 4th 2012, 10:51
It would be helpful if roads like these will be divided with iron barries, so if someone loses control won't overlap the central strip and hit cars coming from the other side and maybe like this we can avaoid bigger accident and even maybe fatal accidents!! i know trees are nicer to the eyes and healthier for the environment but irion barier i think its much safer to the drivers and passengers!
Ms Maria Vella
Nov 4th 2012, 10:54
It would be helpful if you just spared a thought for a family who lost a loved one than dishing out suggestions at this point in time
May he rest in peace and may his family find solace at such a difficult time
J J Lautier
Nov 4th 2012, 10:44
Sad loss, what a way to start Sunday, may God be with his family in this hour of need. R.I.P
m. borg (slm)
Nov 4th 2012, 10:37
Life is so strange.
May Fr Cilia rest in everlasting peace. Condolences to his family.
Matthew Schembri
Nov 4th 2012, 10:33
RIP Rene....you will be missed
M Mamo
Nov 4th 2012, 10:33
:'( RIP DUN RENE CILIA
Ghadni kif iltqajt mieghu gimgha ilu waqt dan il-coverage fil-knisja taz-Zejtun - kien hu li gie jkellimni ghax baqa' jiftakar iz-zmien sabih tal-live-ins fis-Seminarju meta hu kien ghadu Seminarista ... Bniedem tal-genn li mhux ha ninsa qatt!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoNMrOUdw_E&feature=plcp
Patrick Jansen
Nov 4th 2012, 10:29
So some people are now suggesting there should be crash barriers on all main roads.. Well, at least Malta would be the only country in the world doing this and people can say Only in Malta again.
Carmel Camilleri
Nov 4th 2012, 10:24
R.I.P. Dear Dun Rene.
Gilbert Busuttil
Nov 4th 2012, 10:24
RIP Fr. Rene. You will surely be missed. Condolences and strength to his family during these difficult times. May God be with you.
Paul Pace
Nov 4th 2012, 10:21
Kondoljanzi lil-qraba u ħbieb ta Fr Rene..... Alla Jpattilu b elf darba tal-ġid li għamel mal-komunita taz-zejtun u ħafna nies ohra. RIP
Mary Rose Pavia
Nov 4th 2012, 10:21
Thank you for all that you meant for us. For the wonderful moments spent with you during our Saturday morning meetings, the summer live-ins, at Bingemma.... Thank you for your last mass which was celebrated for us yesterday evening. Thank you for being a living sign of Christ's presence in our midst.
We promise to carry on ....
Grupp abbatini Zejtun
j brincat
Nov 4th 2012, 10:20
RIP
(jb)
David Pace
Nov 4th 2012, 10:11
the severity of this accident could have not been as serious had there been crash barriers installed in the central reservation (called the central strip in Malta).
its about time barriers are installed on all dual carriageways in Malta !!!
M Cachia
Nov 4th 2012, 10:11
Thats the result of central strip without crash barriers (a Vauxhall Zaphira which was being driven towards Zejtun hit the centre strip and crossed to the opposite carriageway.)
Richard Caruana
Nov 4th 2012, 09:48
Sad loss.
Michael Portelli
Nov 4th 2012, 09:46
I have known Fr. Cilia for a long time as from Primary School. He was always an exemplary man who kept up with his principles which he believed. Fr. Cilia inspired many people and was a refuge to all those who sought his help. He wanted to share his love with those people who most needed it in missionary countries. This is a great loss for most of us especially people from De La Salle and relative
Valerie Caruana
Nov 4th 2012, 09:46
what a sad morning this morning.... may you rest in peace dear friend :(
R Axisa
Nov 4th 2012, 09:44
Kien xokk kbir xhin smajt dalghodu fil-quddies. In-nuqqas ta' Dun Rene' se jinhass bil-bosta - secjalment ghall-omeliji. Strieh fil-paci Dun Rene' u zgur li se tibqa' f'qalbna ghal dejjem.
mario galea
Nov 4th 2012, 09:43
I knew him welll. He was such a nice person. Very humble and accessible to his parishioners. Always with a smile and rash to help. He was well loved in Zejtun. He will be missed dearly. Great loss. May God grant him eternal rest and look after his family at this tragic moment.
Albert Vella
Nov 4th 2012, 09:41
Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord, A.E:Vella
Ryan Muscat
Nov 4th 2012, 09:39
I will miss you my friend, you were an examplary person to us all. Rest in peace.
N Attard
Nov 4th 2012, 09:37
Why do we still have main roads without barriers separating opposite lanes? What a shame. Loss of lives which could have been avoided. RIP.
John Mallia
Nov 4th 2012, 09:36
A crash barrier would have saved him. We never learn.
Carl Cassar
Nov 5th 2012, 08:13
John I agree we never learn, authorities impose safety legislations such as wearing seatbelts and we ignore them.
Bernard Bonnici
Nov 4th 2012, 09:29
Rest in peace my dear friend. I still can't believe it!
tony abela
Nov 4th 2012, 09:23
RIP Dear Dun Rene. We miss you all at Zejtun. We lost an examplary priest.
Gorg Mallia
Nov 4th 2012, 09:20
Oh what a tragedy! Renè was not only a young man dedicated to his great beliefs, but he was also an up and coming writer with great potential. How absolutely terrible!
R. Muscat
Nov 4th 2012, 09:11
Rest in peace my friend and brother in prtiesthood
carmel muscat
Nov 4th 2012, 08:51
may he rest in peace j alla il familja isib is sabar wara din it telfa ta ghaziez tahom
Anthony Paul Naudi
Nov 4th 2012, 08:46
Aghtihom o Mulej il-mistrieh ta' dejjem.
A.P.Naudi
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