Mgr Charles G. Vella, founder of the Cana Movement, was honoured by Rosa Jervolino Russo, mayor of Naples, with the Golden Medal of Naples at the council hall of the municipality.
Together with the medal, Mgr Vella was awarded a silver plaque bearing the inscription: "The City of Naples to Mgr Charles Vella for a life dedicated with intelligence, science and passion for the defence of the family with affection and infinite gratitude. The mayor, Rosa Jervolino Russo".
This also commemorated Mgr Vella's 80th birthday and his work for families in the city.
The mayor recalled how, in 1974, Mgr Vella had helped in the drafting of the law for the establishment of the consultori familiari and how he subsequently trained numerous counsellors.
Back then, Dr Jervolino Russo was a minister responsible for the family.