A popular appeal for the Żejtun feast to go ahead as planned was turned down by the Church yesterday, which insisted its decision was final.

The feast of St Catherine, scheduled for June, was cancelled on May 9 after consultation with the locality’s organisations following the sudden death of archpriest Fr Eric Overend.

The decision had sparked an online petition by disappointed feast enthusiasts, prompting the Church to reconsider its verdict.

In a statement last night, the Church said Archbishop Paul Cremona accepted to review his decision after a proposal was made for festive activities to be toned down rather than be cancelled altogether.

Parish administrator Fr Gino Cauchi made the proposal to the organisations involved in a working paper on May 22. But the Beland Band, the Żejtun Band and the associations embracing fireworks and feast decorations enthusiasts felt that the feast should be held as usual. “In light of the conclusions by these organisations, the Church authorities took the final decision that this year’s indoor and outdoor celebrations are cancelled altogether,” the Curia said.

Fr Overend, 47, died on April 28, just two days after his mother passed away. A jointfuneral was held. He was a member of the Church’s Environment Commission and served as president of the College of Parish Priests for many years.

His death came as a double shock for Żejtun as his deputy, Fr Renè Cilia, died in a car accident just six months earlier.