It seems not enough importance was given to the visit to Malta by the president of Italy’s parliamentary anti-Mafia commission, Rosy Bindi, to give her wise counsel on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who I remember during her childhood and at St Dorothy’s School, Mdina.

My heart aches with sorrow, my social sense is full of anger for the sins of omission committed by all those in authority from the Prime Minister onwards, but as a priest I am full of hope for a new spring and the renewal of our country.

The visit of Ms Bindi, whom I welcome as a friend, gives us hope. She witnessed the assassination of another friend, Prof. Vittorio Bachelet, by the Red Brigades in 1980 (she was standing next to him) and she has extensive experience as a former Cabinet minister and as the president of the anti-mafia Commission since 2013.

With her team she took action against the Mafia, including clamping down against corruption and money laundering, with the same courage as Daphne.

Above all, she has always been very committed to her faith and has played an important role in the Catholic Action movement.  She can transmit to those in politics her virtues, principles and honesty which seem to be hidden by a dark cloud.

Hopefully we listened to her carefully during her stay in Malta and we will take on her ideals.