I would like to express my disappointment and preoccupation at the number of mobile phone antennae and other cellular apparatus, which has been installed in the past months on the Balzan parish church by the three companies providing cellular telephony in Malta. The dome of the church has been transformed into a web of antennae, wires and metal trunking which are not only ruining its aesthetics and artistic value but also causing structural damage that is surely bound to increase in the years to come.

To install this cellular apparatus tens of screws and bolts have been riveted into the stonework of this 300-year old dome, which, till a few months ago, was a pleasure to look at. As if this was not enough, a sizeable part of the ornamental moulding adorning one of the windows of the dome was dislodged and broken during the installation of these antennae.

Had this happened on the facades of our homes I am sure we would have strongly protested and vehemently opposed any tampering with our private property.

And this is only fair. So what about our parish church, so precious to the people of the village, which was bequeathed to us by our forefathers who, in times of utter poverty, were generous enough to lavish on it their wealth and adorn it with many treasures of art? Are we going to keep silent and let this havoc happen in front of our eyes?

I am aware that by hiring church rooftops to mobile phone companies the parish will pocket a few hundred euros annually. But does this justify the ruining of our artistic heritage? This is a question of values after all. In my opinion, this is at odds with the policy and line of thought the Church in Malta professes to be following regarding the preservation and conservation of the environment and our cultural heritage.

I appeal to people of goodwill who have our patrimony at heart to voice their complaints before it is too late. The people of Balzan should take courage from other neighbouring parishes that did not succumb to pecuniary pressures and opposed straightaway the fixing of these monstrosities on their churches. May we enjoy again the dome of our parish church rehabilitated and restored to its former glory.

A special heartfelt appeal to the professional people at the Archbishop’s Curia, who ultimately have the power and duty to safeguard the religious heritage of our nation, to examine the case I have brought up and take the measures they deem fit.

Carmel Bezzina

BALZAN