Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi’s monument inaugurated in Siġġiewi

“Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi firmly believed that Providence is limitless as limitless are His values of justice and solidarity.” Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, said this during the inauguration ceremony of a monument in honour of Dun Mikiel in a Siġġiewi road also named after him. Fr Martin said that Dun Mikiel was determined to build a home for persons with disability, even though there were those who thought he was exagerating or that he would never get his dream off the ground. He was told that such a project needed lots of funds. However, Dun Mikiel responded by putting all his project in the lap of Divine Providence.

The monument was set up by the Siġġiewi Local Council and the Għaqda Kulturali Siġġiewi that worked hand-in-hand so that the bronze bust, work of the sculptor Vincent Apap, will take its place amongst other Siġġiewi born greats Friar Ġużè Delia, Pawlu Aquilna and Karmenu Vassallo.

The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca heaped praise on the residents of Siġġiewi for openly welcoming Dun Mikiel and his dream to build the first residential home for persons with disability in their village. Dun Mikiel lived for a full twenty-two years at Id-Dar tal-Providenza where he is also buried amongst those he filled with respect, dignity and rights.

Other speakers were the Mayor of Siġġiewi, Dr Karol Aquilina, the President of the Għaqda Kulturali Siġġiewi, Fr Nikol Aquilina and Dun Mikiel’s own nephew, Dr Tonio Azzopardi. The Archpriest of Siġġiewi, Fr Joseph Grech blessed the monument and the work that is done at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.