The shelving of the controversial project for the Conventual Church was good news.

Far removed from any political considerations, and with all due respect to all, I write to congratulate our government for reaching a very correct decision on behalf of the nation, with felicitations to the Church too.

The alternative was an alarming risk. It is never wise to tamper with originals, no matter the motive; more so in this case, as it touches the island's primary gem, which is a showpiece to the world.

It must not be left to us to risk spoiling what the German bombers thankfully failed to destroy when the rest of Valletta lay in ruins. We owe it to our history, to the heroes of the past, to the Church and to our own good taste.