Gozo church collection donated to Save Valletta’s Skyline restoration appeal

Following an inspiring initiative by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, the parishes in his diocese dedicated the contributions from one Sunday’s Holy Masses to the St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral Save Valletta’s Skyline Restoration Appeal.

The generous sum of €5,783 was collected from parishioners all over the island of Gozo. Receiving the cheque from Bishop Grech, Canon Simon Godfrey, the Chancellor of the cathedral, said: “It is deeply symbolic of the warm ecumenical ties that exist between the Roman Catholic and Anglican faiths in Malta and Gozo. The parishioners of Gozo have demonstrated their typically great generosity for which I and the Restoration Appeal committee are enormously grateful.”

Sir Martin Laing and Martin Scicluna, the Joint Chairmen of the Restoration Appeal, joined Canon Godfrey in expressing their thanks, underlining that the contribution by the Diocese of Gozo in aid of the Restoration Appeal was a marvellous and generous gesture of solidarity. It was a boost not only to the Restoration Appeal’s funds, but also to the recognition that saving this outstanding Grade 1 building was crucially important to Valletta’s rich cultural heritage.

The fabric of St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta is in dire need of restoration. Recent expert architectural inspections have identified severe problems threatening the tower, the spire and the external and internal stonework. Parts of the structure are now officially described as “unstable”.

Following a report by the Cathedral’s architect, a multitude of problems have been identified affecting the tower and spire and the stonework around the Cathedral. These include the urgent need for external restoration works; tower and spire and boundary wall restoration works; the replacement of the ceiling and other internal works as well as the wrought iron railings.

The need is pressing. An appeal has been launched by the Church Council of the Cathedral to raise €3,000,000 for vital restoration and repair work by November 2019, the 175th Anniversary of the building of the Cathedral. For more information please visit: www.savethecathedral.com