Labour leader Joseph Muscat maintained that the 1969 agreement which ended the politico-religious dispute between the party and the Church remains binding on the Labour Party to this day and into the future.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a monument in honour of the members and activists of the Labour Party, when he also read out the text of the agreement, which in part makes it clear there should be a distinction between the political community and the Church and that the Church would not impose mortal sin as censure.

The monument is made of wood and is the work of sculptor Joe Saliba, symbolising in particular those who suffered because of their beliefs. After the inauguration Dr Muscat paid homage to the persons who had been buried in unconsecrated ground during the height of the politico-religious dispute.

Dr Muscat in particular mentioned seven persons: Ġorġ Gravina, who died on 1 August, 1961 and was the first to be buried in unconsecrated ground. Before dying he was asked by the priest if he was a reader of the Labour Party newspaper Il-Ħelsien. Replying in the affirmative, Mr Gravina was denied the sacraments.

Ġużè Ellul Mercer, party deputy leader, died on 22 September, 1961. The hospital authorities had asked the party’s general secretary to be quick about taking the body away because, as they put it, he was making a stink of the place.

Toni Zahra died on 26 November, 1961, while on his way home in Żejtun after attending a party meeting. Amletu Spiteri died on 3 June, 1962 when a ceiling collapsed on him. He was administered extreme unction but when it was known who he was his family was informed that the sacrament did not count as Amletu was a Labour activist.

Toninu Caligari died on 23 June, 1962, drowning at Marsascala and being taken directly to the unconsecrated ground for burial from hospital. Karmenu Cini died on 18 February, 1962 just after voting in the 1962 general election. His wife and children had eventually to emigrate to Australia.

The only woman who was buried in the unconsecrated section was Liza Zammit, who passed away on 10 November, 1963. She was a mother of five and had been hit by a car as she left church after hearing Mass. She was administered extreme unction, but was still buried in the unconsecrated section.

A minute’s silence was observed in respect of the seven. Dr Muscat, paying them homage, said the reference to them was not to sow hatred or division, but because with a peaceful conscience they would say they did not ever again want to go through the same experiences.

Reading out the agreement which brought the dispute with the Church to an end, Dr Muscat said this still held good today, and was binding on the Labour Party into the future and should remain so.