Labour MEP Alfred Sant implied today that the Church knew that the land it sold in Gharghur was to be developed into a block of apartments.

Writing on Facebook, the former PL leader said that he was surprised by the Church’s attitude on the land it sold in Gharghur.

Four blocks rising to 6 storeys are to be built just 70m away from Għargħur parish church and flanking the Urban Conservation Area (UCA). The land was previously owned by the Church which sold to it private interests.

In his comment, Sant said that Archbishop Charles Scicluna spoke in a severe tone against the greed which is leading to the little undeveloped land that remains to be built up.

“But then to defend the sale of virgin land in Gharghur, if I understood correctly, the Church said that it was not the one to build on the land and it has to be environmental authorities who ensure that the land is used properly,” Sant said.

Pontius Pilate would not have been more capable of washing his hands of the dispute, the Labour MEP mused.

“As if the Church did not know what was to become of the land it sold in Gharghur,” he added. This is another case when greed is condemnable only when it involves others, he said.