A new bell named Carola Francisca has been officially inaugurated at the St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, marking a significant moment in the cathedral's musical and cultural history, the government said Saturday.
The inauguration ceremony was held this morning in the presence of Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici.
The new bell, crafted by the Royal Eijsbouts Bellfoundry in Asten, the Netherlands, was commissioned to address a long-standing tonal anomaly within the cathedral's historical bell ensemble. With its installation, a dissonance that had persisted for over four decades has now been resolved.
The bell replaces an original dating back to 1702, cast by Luca Menville, chief bellfounder of the Order of St John. Due to its unusually thin profile and acoustically incompatible structure, the original bell could not be tuned to harmonize with the other 17th- and 18th-century bells, leading to a discordant soundscape that compromised the ensemble's harmony.
Carola Francisca now joins the historic set of bells and will hang beside the bell of Grand Master Pinto, contributing to a renewed acoustic identity for the Co-Cathedral.
During the inauguration, Archbishop Scicluna reflected on the deeper meaning of the event. "This new bell is a call to contribute to the harmony offered by the Co-Cathedral of St John, but also a call for each of us to find unity and work together in harmony," he said. He referenced a line from the Maltese national anthem, asking the Lord to "strengthen unity among the Maltese and peace," and added, "May this bell, the voice of God, touch our hearts and draw us nearer to Him."
Minister Owen Bonnici described the new bell as more than just a musical instrument, calling it "a new symbol of reverence for our spiritual and cultural heritage." He praised the ongoing enhancement of the cathedral-a space that already celebrates beauty, art, and faith-and expressed gratitude to the Foundation and Mr. Kevin Cauchi for their dedicated efforts in giving new voice to the grandeur of St John's.
Professor Monsignor Emmanuel Agius, President of the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, emphasized that the bell, together with the existing five, would deliver a message of comfort and hope to all pilgrims.
Commissioned during Archbishop Scicluna's episcopate, the bell bears the name Carola Francisca in honour of both the late Pope Francis and Archbishop Scicluna himself. It will serve as an eternal reminder of the hope rooted in the mercy of God, inspired by Pope Francis and preserved through the Archbishop's pastoral leadership.
The addition of Carola Francisca is not merely a technical correction, but a symbolic renewal of the Co-Cathedral's acoustic identity. It also underscores the Foundation's continued commitment to excellence in the preservation and enhancement of Malta's sacred heritage.