Peter Calamatta writes:
Very early on Saturday morning a great man and cleric passed away to better pastures. Mgr Charles Vella, known by all those close to him as Dun Charles ta’ Kana left this world just a few months before his 90th birthday.
Fr Charles was a living monument to how a person can dedicate his life totally and unconditionally towards the betterment of other persons who are less fortunate. For me personally and for all our family he has been our moral rock and mentor for over 60 years. Even when he was away from Malta we were always in contact and we visited him often in Milan, which became his second home and the renowned San Raffaele Hospital his base for reaching out. I feel honoured to have included a long chapter about Fr Charles in my book Me and my Mentors published and launched just a few days before he passed away.
When I gave him a copy of the book he immediately went to his chapter, read it silently while moving his lips and then with tear-filled eyes he whispered towards me: “Peter, I do not deserve this, you would have made it even without my help.” Such was the humility of the man who outwardly may have seemed domineering and pompous but in reality was an example of great humility.
These last few years we were in daily contact with two to three phone calls a day and regular visits to Dar tal-Kleru where he was being cared for as his health gradually deteriorated. I will never forget how his eyes lit up, even when he was in great pain, the minute I entered his room. We talked about any topic under the sun but always with one objective, that of doing good to those in need.
Though very weak he kept on planning great things and projects for the future. Alas he could not see them through as his body was giving up while his mind was still lucid and bright.
With his passing away Malta has lost a great man, a ceaseless reformer and an innovative writer who penned books that were translated into many languages and are still used as reference points, in particular the book about Ethics in the Medical Field. I personally lost a great friend who mentored and shaped my life and stood by me in both the good times and the bad times when because of my illnesses I was fighting for my life.
Thank you Fr Charles not just for what you did for me but for the good you did to thousands of others, especially newly married couples, and those you helped through serious illnesses thanks to the respect you enjoyed at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. May you rest in heavenly peace where I am certain you will be organising great events to glorify our Lord God.