The backpage article of Tuesday 8 June, ‘A Chapel craving for attention’ by Elaine Attard, gives a very good picture of the plight of some of Malta’s hidden Treasures, more so, if they are in Mosta..

Way back in 2004, when my wife and I moved to this beautiful village, I personally approached the Mosta Archpriest to encourage him to apply to the Ministry of Resources to have Ta’ Wejda Chapel restored. We had been involved in a similar project to have St Rocco Church in Balzan successfully restored.

Usually the Ministry undertakes that, with the approval of the Ecclesiastical Authorities, the expertise of the Restoration Unit would be involved at the Ministry’s expense, whilst the cost of materials would be the Church’s responsibility. Through the generosity of various Mosta contractors and benefactors, all this cost would have been offset by our ‘ad hoc’ committee. Hence, no burden on the Curia or the Mosta Parish.

Unfortunately, we were told that; a sizeable development would soon be built next door and as both the owners and the Architect were from Mosta, they will see to the chapel’s restoration as soon as the project was finalised. Besides, we were also told that, since the Rotunda Parvis was about to be restored by the Government, the Archpriest thought it was not wise to apply for something else.

The next door development is now ready and the chapel’s deterioration is going from bad to worse. One wonders if Mepa is aware that about a metre of the chapel’s back wall has been usurped. Besides, the Ta’ Wejda Parvis dividing wall has been “modernised” and no actual restoration is in sight! Since then, six long years have been wasted and who knows how many other projects in villages across Malta, have been applied for. No wonder Mepa, the Curia and our dormant local council have ignored your journalist’s request for information.

Meanwhile, the Restoration Unit is currently involved in numerous projects throughout the Maltese Islands, namely the restoration works on the Sa Maison Bastions, those at Semaphore Tower at Gharghur, Mdina Main Gate, Madonna tal-Hlas Sanctuary l/o Qormi, Ta’ Qrejqca Chapel at Qormi and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Zebbug amongst others. (note two projects in Qormi).

Let’s let bygones be bygones, we are still in time to save this chapel and have it restored on its 400th anniversary – only if all the competent authorities get together and act. The alternative is too dismal to consider. History will judge us all.

Albert McCarthy

Mosta