From Mgr C. G. Vella

The local press has reported that the Chapel of the Mediterranean Conference Centre is to be used to celebrate civil marriages.

The aim of the MCC chairman is to attract local and foreign civil marriages. The place, we are told, “is a valuable tourist attraction” and the “Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is indeed a unique venue due to its intimacy and its historic artefacts”.

All this is misleading, as once the place has been deconsecrated we should not call it a chapel anymore.

If the name remains, I would not be surprised to see wedding invitations announcing that the marriage will take place in the “Chapel of the Knights of Malta.” Couples will also say that they married in a “chapel.” All this would not only be misleading, but could also lead some couples to perhaps take the opportunity of giving the impression that their civil marriage was blessed in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

As Maltese, we should not turn this place, even though deconsecrated, into a venue for civil marriages. While congratulating the chairman for the restoration of the place, I suggest that the place should be used for some other purpose such as an exhibition of the Knights and the Sacred Infirmary. Some other venue can be found for civil marriages in the spacious MCC.

I think the Curia, which I am told has been consulted, should reconsider the matter and safeguard the historic memories (dating from 1712) of this once sacred place.

Charles G. Vella

SLIEMA