I appeal to the Bishop of Gozo to pay heed to the environmental damage being done by the Nadur parish with the construction of another cemetery on garigue land. Things have not been done properly and many families of farmers are now suffering.

Two years have already passed since the farmers and their families tried to speak to the bishop. We were unsuccessful although we left a petition bearing the signatures of 450 individuals. He still never met with us and he never took a position, especially now that it is a known fact that the digging by heavy machinery and the cement for these new graveyards is affecting the natural spring water supply, which the farmers have been using for years for the 5,000 odd fruit trees in the valley of Ramla l-Hamra.

Although the Bishop of Gozo appointed a certain Pauline Grech to represent the Gozo diocese in the Commission for the Environment of the Church, as far as we know she never gave any reaction in public with regard to this scandal of the Gozo Diocese.

I do admire the bishop, since he was capable of asking the forgiveness of the children who were abused in Lourdes Home years ago, but what will he do about this abuse, which is occurring at this very moment under his very nose! Will he ask for forgiveness in a few years’ time when the natural spring waters will be contaminated or destroyed?

At present, water and cement are flowing into our water reservoirs (as shown in the photograph); this is all because Mepa was satisfied with the so-called study conducted by a geologist instead of a study that should have been conducted by a hydrologist.

Marco Cremona, an engineer and a water expert, has already given his views in the media and clearly showed that the land on which the project is being done is directly affecting the natural water supply, contrary to the views put forward by the “experts” commissioned by the diocese.

Although he is now in charge of Mepa, Lawrence Gonzi is also silent on this issue. The Prime Minister is just happy to use Alternattiva Demokratika’s proposal to turn Gozo into an ecological island but without lifting a finger to actually safeguard the natural spring waters.

It seems however that the bishop is happy with the money that we are spending for the appeal at Mepa that was initiated long months ago. The thing is that the Church has its own means of collecting money. We, as farmers, and our families, do not. For those who do not know, we received a letter at home from the Nadur parish telling us that we could buy a grave for e3,494.

Carmen Camilleri

NADUR