More than 1,000 Żejtun residents have signed an online petition asking the Curia to revoke a decision cancelling the village feast following the sudden death of archpriest Fr Eric Overend.

The petition calls on the Church to “seriously reconsider its decision” to cancel the activities related to the feast of St Catherine.

Consultation has already been carried out and if new facts emerge, they will be considered

“We believe that, at least, the liturgical part of the feast and the pilgrimage with the statue should still go head on June 16,” the petition says.

The number of signatures picked up fast since it was set up online on Thursday evening.

If more than 2,000 signatures are collected by Monday, the plan is to send the petition to the Archbishop.

A spokesman for the Curia said they “are aware of an online petition”. When asked whether the petition would be considered, the spokesman said that “consultation has already been carried out and if new facts emerge, they will be considered”.

The decision to cancel the feast was taken by Archbishop Paul Cremona after consulting with the parish clerics, the parish pastoral council and other organisations related to the feast, the Curia said.

Fr Overend’s death late last month came as a double shock for Żejtun as his deputy, Fr Renè Cilia, had died in a car accident just six months earlier.

His funeral was held last week, together with that of his 80-year-old mother who died two days before him.

The petition is available at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/petizzjoni-sabiex-ti%C4%A1i-rikunsidrata-d-de%C4%8Bi%C5%BCjoni-li-jit%C4%A7assru-l-festi-interni-u-esterni-ta-santa-katarina-vm-fi%C5%BC-%C5%BCejtun.html.