A new committee has recently been set up with the aim of erecting a monument in honour of Pope John Paul II, who passed away in the beginning of April. Dr Monica Vella LLD is the president of the Kumitat Monument Papa Gwanni Pawlu II.

We, Maltese and Gozitans, still remember vividly the visit that His Holiness made in 1990 to the island of Gozo and the concelebrated Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu in Gharb.

The Gozitan artist Chev. Alfred Camilleri Cauchi has been commissioned the work on the life-size statue of the Pope in bronze. The monument will be erected in the same area where one can find a commemorative plaque, commemorating the Pope’s visit and the naming of the road that leads from Victoria to Ta’ Pinu.

Four bank accounts have been made available as from Monday, for anyone wishing to contribute towards this monument. The accounts are to be found at the Bank of Valletta, HSBC, APS Bank and Lombard Bank. The general public is urged to contribute towards the funding of this project which the committee intends to inaugurate in October 2005.

In the meantime should anybody like to make a personal contribution or ask any information, mobile number 9942 3957 is available. An official receipt will be given for each donation.