I recently went for a walk in Wied il-Għasel and noticed two persons climbing the rock faces of the cliffs and caves precisely where the picturesque chapel of St Paul the Hermit is built. Walking closer to the chapel I discovered that their ropes passed through bright new bolts drilled directly in the rocks overhanging the chapel’s cave.

I decided not to go on to the chapel’s parvis and say my usual short prayers in front of the Virgin Mary’s altar because I had to pass directly through their ropes. I felt uncomfortable imagining those people hanging high over me like spidermen.

What’s worse is that at a certain point they seemed quite close to the chapel’s roof and definitely on top of the chapel’s parvis. Not that I’m superstitious like those who prefer not to walk under ladders, but I felt quite nervous.

I think that it is inappropriate for this kind of sport to be practised at that spot. The picturesque chapel, with its heritage, religious charm and devotion, deserves better. It is mentioned in G.F. Abela’s Descrittione di Malta (1647) and gives the grotto a surreal aura of holiness and stillness. This is precisely the cave where, according to legend, San Corrado di Noto lived before being cast away by Mosta shepherds who chased him down to Salina after attempting to stone him but the hermit miraculously crossed to Sicily on his cloak.

Probably the rock climbers are thinking otherwise and assert it is their right to go there and bolt permanent routes because the rock features are ideal. But what about our right to pray in peace undisturbed at this holy place just as we have done for ages? We cannot do it any more with climbers hanging around on the chapel’s parvis right inside the cave.

What’s worse is that they leave their bolts and clamps permanently fixed. There are many other unused caves in Wied il-Għasel where they can practise their sport. I wonder what the Church authorities think about this intrusion. I do hope that it is not being done with their consent.