The restoration project on the Archpriestly Church of San Filep t’Agira in Žebbuġ has been completed, a project that was carried out with an investment of €113,000, with 80% co-financing from Union funds European.
The project was inaugurated by the Minister for European Funds Silvio Schembri, the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett and the Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi. Also present were the Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta Michael Pace Ross and the Archpriest of Żebbuġ Rev. Albert Buhagiar.
Through this project, to which the parishioners of Đaz-Zebbuġ also contributed, the restoration of the bell towers, the dome and its drum (base) and the lantern was carried out as well as a system new lighting more efficient in energy consumption. The Archpriestly Church of Žebbuġ was built at the beginning of the 17th century after in the 14th century there was already another church in its place on the land of Filippo de Catania, a Sicilian merchant who had paid for the building of this the church.
The Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that through the European funds a difference is being made in the heart of our communities. “This is in addition to the fact that these funds are giving added value to our localities, and thus we continue to increase, the beauty and the touristic value in the heart of the villages”, said Minister Schembri.
The Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett said that through an investment of €4 million from the European Fund for Regional Development and dedicated by the Government, the Archdiocese of Malta is carrying out restoration projects on 33 churches. in Malta with the aim of carrying out conservation, protection and promotion of the ecclesiastical cultural heritage. “This is another investment carried out with European funds, which helped the parish of Žebbuġ to restore several parts of this church, which is so dear to the Žebbuġi community, while the work of the Government continues to restore the cultural heritage of our country”, said Parliamentary Secretary Bonett.
Bishop Galea-Curmi thanked all those who contributed to the works of this restoration as well as Rev. Daniel Cardona, who was the Archpriest at the time the work began. “The Church in Malta is committed to protecting its cultural heritage. It does this with a sense of justice to our ancestors who left this heritage so precious; with a service to the people who can enjoy what is beautiful and with this work that was done in the parish of Żebbuġ the people of this locality will enjoy but also the entire Maltese people and all those who come to visit Malta and can appreciate our cultural heritage”, said Bishop Galea-Curmi who added stress on the responsibility towards future generations to whom we want to leave a beautiful legacy.
Mr. Pace Ross recalled how this church forms part of the central route of the Church Trails, which were introduced recently and which are intended for tourists and Maltese to enjoy this heritage that has been restored through funds Europeans.
