The Attard family of Victoria was awarded the Qalb tad-Deheb (Golden Heart) shield at a ceremony organised by the Pope John Paul II Institute for the Family in Victoria.

The award was presented by President George Abela to Ino Attard, 36, who last October underwent surgery to donate a kidney to his mother, Carmela, a widow who suffers from diabetes and poor eyesight. Since the demise of his father, George, 14 years ago, Ino has done his best to fill the void left and has been of great support to his mother and three brothers and sisters.

Institute director Fr Anthony Teuma spoke of the psychological advantages for children to be brought up in a family with both a father and a mother figure, and of the risks to the children’s unfolding personality if adopted by same-sex partners. He backed up his arguments with academic and professional research.

Dr Abela expressed concern at the fact that the subject of gay adoption was not being debated as widely as the matter necessitates. Children, he emphasised, should not only be given a good upbringing, but the best possible one.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech referred to his current pastoral visit in the diocese and expressed his joy and satisfaction in experiencing at first hand the sound values and the spirit of sacrifice in many Gozitan families. He said the transmission of these values was important for individuals and for society.

Gozo Minister Anton Refalo congratulated the Attard family and said it should serve as a role model for the community. Selection board chairman Paul Pisani gave a critical analysis of the legislation regarding organ donation.

During the event, Chorus Urbanus, under the direction of John Galea, performed musical interludes, including Bruckner’s Locus Iste and Pitoni’s Cantate Domino. It also performed and dedicated a special choral number, Va Pensiero from Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco, to Dr Abela in appreciation of the “excellent statesmanship during his term of office”.