The Prince of Wales has signalled his support for the St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral Save Valletta’s Skyline Restoration Appeal by making a generous personal donation.
Prince Charles first worshipped in the cathedral while still an undergraduate at Cambridge University when he made two unofficial visits to Malta on holiday in 1968 and 1970, staying with the then Governor-General’s family.
“This valuable endorsement by The Prince of Wales has given the Appeal a great fillip and reinforces the strong connections that the cathedral has with the Royal Family,” said the appeal’s co-chairman Martin Scicluna.
The St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral Save Valletta’s Skyline Restoration Appeal was launched on 9 February, the eve of the Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck in Malta. The cathedral is a universally recognised Valletta landmark, but the fabric is in dire need of restoration. Architectural inspections have identified severe problems threatening the tower, the spire and the external and internal stonework.
The target is to raise €3 million by November 2019, which will mark the 175th anniversary of the building of the cathedral. We hope that this sum will enable us to restore the church, as well as provide for a reasonable endowment for its future maintenance and well-being.
“We have been greatly encouraged by the response to the Appeal over the last six months, raising over €500,000 in donations from charities, foundations, individuals and corporate bodies in Malta and the United Kingdom,” Scicluna said.
“We have reasonable sums already pledged for 2018. We have engaged one of Malta’s leading architectural firms, Architecture Project (AP), to undertake the restoration work and we hope to see this commence on the ground in earnest by the first quarter of next year once all the technical surveys and planning applications for this Grade 1 listed building have been completed.
“His Royal Highness Prince Philip is Patron of the Friends of the Cathedral and President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has given her distinguished patronage to the Appeal and, together with other Patrons, has been most supportive of our work.”
Scicluna added, “We have been hugely assisted in our efforts by the unstinting support which has been offered by Maltese, British and other volunteers in raising funds for the Appeal through the organisation of events and by encouraging individuals, charities and foundations through their personal contacts in the United Kingdom and Malta to support us.
“I think it is fair to say that the Save Valletta’s Skyline Appeal has struck a chord in Malta. With Valletta becoming the European Capital of Culture in January 2018, we hope to be able to maintain the momentum of our fund-raising efforts and to witness the first visible improvements to the physical restoration of the cathedral in at least 60 years.”