Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna has joined Wirt Ghawdex in condemning the recent act of vandalism at the mediaeval chapel dedicated to Saint Cecilia at Ghajnsielem in Gozo. “It is indeed a shame that, despite repeated calls by Wirt Ghawdex and other NGOs, the authorities have remained dormant over an expropriation order that has been waiting for 10 years to be enforced,” it said.

Saint Cecilia’s chapel has great historic and architectural value. It forms an integral part of the rich religious and rural heritage of these islands and merits full protection. Dedicated to Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr from the 3rd century and patroness of church music, the chapel is first recorded in a pastoral visit of 1615, when its only internal ornament was reported to be a crucifix. The chapel is square in design, has a low pitched roof supported by pointed arches and is considered one of the best preserved non-aisled examples of early wayside chapels in the country.

FWA said that, following the recent acts of vandalism, it believed the government should not drag its feet any further on this matter and should ensure that this building is offered the highest level of protection possible. One way of achieving this would be to assign the chapel to Wirt Ghawdex for them to restore and use, as they have been asking to do for so long.