10 years ago - The Sunday Times

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Simshar survivor to be probed

The inquiry into the Simshar tragedy is focusing on the sole survivor, Simon Bugeja, after investigations revealed discrepancies between his story and other evidence connected with the facts of the case, The Sunday Times has learnt.

Sources close to the inquiry said a number of questions had been raised in relation to Mr Bugeja’s version of events. Five people died during the ill-fated fishing trip last July, including Mr Bugeja’s 11-year-old son Theo, his 61-year-old father Carmelo, Noel Carabott, 33, and Somali national Abdulrahman Abdala Gedi, 21.

Last week, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna was scheduled to interview Mr Bugeja for the second time since the inquiry began some six months ago. However, the fisherman asked for legal assistance from his lawyer, Robert Abela, and the questioning was postponed.

Dr Abela has now filed a request to be able to assist his client – which is not an automatic right under Maltese law – and the courts are expected to determine this application in the coming weeks. Mr Bugeja’s interviews had been put off for some weeks because of the psychological treatment he was receiving for trauma.  

25 years ago - The Times

Tuesday, February 8, 1994

Archbishop warns about subtle teaching against the Church

The Archbishop yesterday warned against teaching which “forces the conscience of individuals to be formed not according to Christian principles but in compliance with the opinions of certain people and the whim of the moment”.

The teaching was being conveyed “with great energy and insistence” and the harm it could cause “is indeed great”, Mgr Mercieca said.

He was speaking at St John’s Co-Cathedral on the challenge facing families when addressing a congregation attending the feast of Candlemas, which celebrates the presentation of Our Lord in the Temple.

There were persons, he said, who in a very subtle way were pushing families which were meeting with difficulties “to start believing that it is not possible for them to live in line with the Church’s teaching because according to these same persons this teaching is outdated”.

In the ceremony yesterday, parish priests accompanied by representatives of the parish pastoral councils, presented Mgr Mercieca with cash and articles of foodstuffs and other commodities which were collected in churches last January 22 and 23.

Half a century ago - Times of Malta

Saturday, February 8, 1969

Maltese priest in search of loan

Fr Bartholomeo Attard has been in Malta while en route to West Germany to discuss with Government authorities the granting of a loan of one million dollars for the construction of an oil refinery in Tarija, on behalf of the Diocese of Tarija in Bolivia.

Fr Attard has been active for over 13 years in Tarija, mainly in social work. He was the promoter of the Diocesan Curia’s Cooperative of Credit Union which has a capital of over two million dollars in investments, with about 3,000 members.

The cooperative, which is helping to solve one of the main social problems in Bolivia – lack of employment – is supported by the Government.

Salesian Oratory and St Patrick’s old boys reunion

A reunion of about 200 old boys of the Salesian Oratory and of St Patrick’s School and their wives, was held at the Salesian Oratory, Sliema. The presidents of the Salesians Old Boys, Dr J. R. Grech, and of St Patrick’s Old Boys, Mr Andrew Farrugia, delivered short speeches during the reception.