Former Franciscan leader accuses order of ‘hypocrisy’ over house destruction
The former leader of the Franciscan Friars has issued a stinging rebuke of his own order over the “squeezing” of a religious retreat home to make way for a “monumental eyesore”.
Richard Stanley Grech, a former provincial minister, said the Franciscans had “lost all credibility for the sole purpose of money” and that the development would be a reminder of “our hypocrisy, our shame and our betrayal”.
The Franciscans have pocketed € 30 million from the sale of the two-storey retirement home in Madliena to Katari Holdings, who are planning to turn it into a six-storey nursing home.
The demolition of the 1957 building began last week.
“We are no longer qualified to uphold and defend the Franciscan values of justice, peace and the integrity of creation.”– Richard Stanley Grech
In a letter published in Times of MaltaGrech said it would be remembered as “a very sad and painful day”.
“What will be built in its place will be an obvious monstrosity, a monumental eye and a reminder for the coming years of our hypocrisy, of our shame and of our betrayal as Franciscans,” he wrote.
“We have absolutely nothing to be happy about or proud of. We are no longer qualified to uphold and defend the Franciscan values of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. We have lost all credibility for the sake of money. “
Neighbors had objected to the development fearing it would disrupt low-rise buildings in the area.
They claimed that no development notices had ever been posted on the site and that their attempts to take legal action to stop the project had failed, in part because they had not objected during the planning process.
Grech, who left his leadership role in 2020, said the Franciscans went directly against the words of Pope Francis.
During his visit last month, Francis urged the country to protect the island from construction speculation.
“We are perpetrators and collaborators of a serious and unforgiving injustice to our neighbors, with whom we have so far enjoyed a peaceful and respectful coexistence,” wrote Grech.
“No amount of reasons or excuses put forward by anyone can ever justify this infamous and outrageous act.”
Speaking to the Times of Malta, Grech confirmed that he had previously submitted an application on behalf of the Franciscans for the development of an additional floor for the existing building.
He said the new building would be about five meters higher than what he had proposed – but only if the developer adhered to his original plans, he added.
Times of Malta contacted current Franciscan Provincial Rev. Anthony Chircop for comments.
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