I would like to wish Fr Kalċidon Vassallo every success in his new pastoral assignment at Mġarr parish, while congratulating him on his deserved nomination to monsignor. I am sure that I am interpreting the wishes of the people of Balzan who feel grateful for Fr Vassallo’s work among them throughout the last 15 years.

However, I am well aware that there are parishioners who, though grateful to Fr Vassallo, still feel hurt about his decision some years back to rent the roof of their parish church to mobile telephony providers for the installation of mobile antennae, affecting the charm of the church dome and disrupting its architectural features.

From the correspondence that followed, it is more than evident that this was a very sore issue throughout Fr Vassallo’s stint in this parish.

The Curia had given its approval to Fr Vassallo’s decision even though he had not consulted the parish council. For this reasonI can empathise with those parishioners who still feel very strongly about this issue.

As a gesture of respect that is due to the people of Balzan, I dare urge the Curia to assume its responsibility and, in the very near future, see to it that this cellular apparatus be removed. In this way it would be rehabilitating its image and doing a good service to Fr Vassallo himself.

It is highly undesirable for this parish priest to keep on being associated, among a section of the community, with this error, albeit it was with the Curia’s approval.

Surely, Fr Vassallo deserves to be remembered for his good work among the people of Balzan. May I also request Mepa to give a helping hand by using its expertise in this regard. A joint effort by both the Curia and Mepa can bring closure to this issue and make everyone happy.