The Malta Independent on Sunday
Charles Miceli was a point of reference for everything Caritas stands for – Leonid McKay
One of Malta’s most prominent advocates for fighting poverty and social injustice, Charles Miceli, was a point of reference for everything that Caritas stands for, director of the organisation Leonid McKay said.
The Caritas president spoke to this newspaper of his disbelief when he heard the news that Miceli had suddenly passed away at the age of 68.
“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.”
Caritas is one of Malta’s most prominent entities assisting those who are poverty-stricken; suffer from drug addiction and domestic abuse.
Miceli, who had previously worked at Caritas and then later on became a volunteer, was at the forefront of advocating for people suffering the realities of poverty. He was also a founding member of the Alliance against Poverty.
McKay had known and worked alongside Miceli for many years. Their last discussion took place just last week when Miceli visited his office to discuss issues of rent and women in prostitution.
“I know Charles as a colleague in Caritas who had led the Prison Inmate Programme for people coming out of prison. Over the past four years we had a closer relationship, he was my mentor. I would refer to him for any decisions.
“He was one of the few people I consulted when I was asked by the Archbishop to become Director of Caritas. I thought he merely had experience with people undergoing drug rehabilitation, but in reality he carried the struggles of these people.
“He lived the social ethos of the Church. He lived them, he did not just preach.”
McKay was at a Caritas committee session when he learned the news of Miceli’s death. He got to know through the media and could not believe it. Upon confirming that he had indeed passed away, McKay promptly called Miceli’s wife to offer support and condolences.
The day before Miceli’s premature death, McKay was to organ- ise a lunch between friends to discuss certain issues, but this was not to be.
McKay said that Miceli formed part of a task force which was to draw up recommendations for an upcoming white paper on rent, an issue that is seriously affecting Malta’s most vulnerable people.
The area in which McKay had worked closest with Miceli was the campaign on minimum wage and the organisation of a Christmas lunch for people with nowhere to go on the sometimeslonely holiday.
Mr Miceli will be laid to rest tomorrow at 8.45am at the Naxxar Parish Church.