Farewell to a real life hero
The funeral of Charles Miceli, a man who dedicated his life to fighting against poverty, took place yesterday morning at the Naxxar parish church.
The anti-poverty campaigner passed away last Friday aged 68. Miceli worked as a journalist with Union Print and later worked in the drug rehabilitation sector with Church organisation Caritas. More recently he was involved with the Anti-Poverty Alliance to raise awareness on the phenomenon and had lately become dedicated to rent reform. He was married to Commissioner for Children Pauline Miceli, and had one daughter.
Recently, Caritas director Leonid McKay described Miceli as one of Malta’s most prominent advocates in the fight against poverty and social injustice, describing him as a point of reference for everything that Caritas stood for. “Miceli did not just speak about the realities of poverty; he lived among vulnerable people and was a point of reference and a symbol for everything that Caritas stands for.” His death is mourned by many, and Malta’s leaders expressed their condolences.
President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said that Malta had lost one of its best children when it came to field of social justice. “Charles Miceli worked tirelessly in aid of the poor and vulnerable in the country.”
The near-packed Naxxar church saw many pay their respects to one of Malta’s most prominent social rights activists.
Monsignor Charles Cordina, delivering a heartfelt homily, praised the life led by Charles Miceli, who dedicated his life to helping the poor.
When Miceli passed away, Cordina said, social media exploded with praise for his life’s work, and appreciation for his dedication.
Cordina said that when Mother Theresa passed away, people had come together and felt they had lost someone who worked for others. Today, Cordina said, he feels the same way.
He quoted some of the articles penned by Miceli about minimum wage and rent regulations. ‘While the spirit wants to do more... the flesh is weak.’
Cordina said that Miceli was a man who could not close an eye or turn away from others’ suffering.
He spoke about the work Miceli had done to help people with drug problems, and spoke about how the Pope was urging people to help those less fortunate.
Cordina said that Miceli was not only a man who cared a lot about social justice, but was a man who lived and cared for his family.
Quite a few of Malta’s political class turned up to pay their respects, including President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia, Ministers Michael Farrugia and Michael Falzon, PN MP Simon Busuttil and others.
Former President George Abela and Mr Justice Toni Abela were also present. As the funeral procession exited the church, a number of people could be seen shedding a tear for the loss of one of Malta’s most prominent sons in the fight against poverty.