Just a short note to remind Fr Paul Fenech – parish priest of St Gaetano’s Church, Hamrun – and the Curia authorities that three years after the priest’s solemn promise on the local media to repair or change the heavily eroded balustrades adorning the church’s dome, to date nothing has been done.
Three years ago (15 September 2005), Fr Fenech argued that it was only a matter of time but now it’s becoming a matter of years! Both sets of the dome’s balustrades – especially those on the rear side – are heavily eroded. One balustrade is also missing from the top set (lanterna). Besides there is other ornamental stonework missing from the dome. ‘Dangerous but not imminent’, was the Curia’s architect conclusion three years ago. What if the Curia’s architect or anyone of the Church authorities was living just behind and under the dome, like me?
The top set of balustrades was renewed about 23 years ago, but it is also showing signs of erosion... while the bottom set has never been renewed since the dome’s construction about 51 years ago! In the past I’ve gone to the Curia about four times, but every time I ended up feeling like a ping-pong ball. I also personally went to MEPA, who in turn told me to contact the Health and Safety Authorities. These also told me that such cases were not in their competence. Who do the Church authorities think they are kidding? Always the same excuse – lack of friends. But for other church works, the parish priest seemed to have friends! As usual, might is right!
Obviously, many people in Hamrun do not care about all this. It seems that it doesn’t concern them. Few have ever tried to put themselves in my shoes. They couldn’t care less. This problem doesn’t concern them directly. Yes, I am outright against the lack of action by the Hamrun Ecclesiastical Authorities.
But time has again proved me right. Until some time ago I sued to think that very few people were openly manifesting their disapproval concerning the running of this particular church. But now I’ve realised that many people are not happy as things are going on in this parish. Proof of this was the booking that took place during Fr Fenech’s homily on the Church’s parties at the end of this year’s festa.
I’ve been living in Hamrun for 56 years and I have never known or heard that this town’s church authorities were ever booed!
This was indeed a first! Fortunately or unfortunately I wasn’t present at that moment. Time again has proved me right. Any further comment is superfluous!

Charles Cirillo
Hamrun