THE MALTA SHRINE
By THE BISHOP OF GIBRALTAR
ANYONE who has visited Malta is familiar with the tall spire of St. Paul's English Cathedral in Valetta. It is a beacon for every ship approaching the entrance to the Grand Harbour and it is a landmark that is visible from almost every corner of the Island. The Cathedral survives, although there was a big gash in the spire and at one time we thought the whole of the tower would crash into the street below. The building survives—battered indeed. It still has a neglected, down-and-out appearance. The Canon's residence alongside was badly shaken and the large hall underneath the Cathe- dral was stacked high with bombed-out furniture and rubble.
While there are many famous churches of the Roman Obedience in Malta, St. Paul's is the largest and the principal Anglican church. It is a fine, and indeed a distinguished, building in the classical style, built by Her Majesty Queen Adelaide, begun in 1818 and conse- crated in 1844. Our architect-adviser, Mr. Hugh Braun, F.R.I.B.A., lately serving as an officer of the R.E. in Malta, has described it as "a building of remarkable scale and dignity, although the archi- tectural detail is confined to the capitals of the lofty columns." He adds that this building " was finished but never furnished "; and it possesses too little of colour, ornament or decoration.
Since the siege and defence of Malta plans for the repair of the Cathedral and in particular for the enrichment of the original East End as a Shrine of Remembrance have been prepared. Could there be a more suitable Memorial to the men of our race who helped to save Malta than the furnishing and equipment, so urgently needed. of the English Cathedral in order to make it a truly representative place of Anglican worship for those who come after us? What, and what manner of men they were is shown by a series of official cita- tions—for example:
" The King has given orders for the following appointments and has approved the following Naval awards : - " For bravery and dauntless resolution while serving in H.M. ships Ashanti,' Bramham," Cairo," Charybdis,' Fury," Icarus,' ' Intrepid," Ithuriel," Kenya," Laforey," Ledbury," Nelson,' Nigeria," Pathfinder," Penn," Rodney," Rye," Somali," Speedy,' `Tartar ' and 'Wolverine,' and in H.M. Aircraft-carriers, Merchant- men and Oilers, when an important convoy was fought through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from enemy submarines, aircraft and surface forces."
Then follow the names of the honoured.
Many other long lists of Awards for Army and for R.A.F. have been published at different times.
Readers of The Spectator have contributed generously to the pro- posed Shrine, and they may like to know more of the details of the scheme. It is proposed to adopt the Founder's plan of the church, leaving the present sanctuary as the baptistry, and to furnish the opposite wall of the building (where a gallery now is) as the new East End. (A photograph of the plan was published in the Sphere of July 7, 1945, showing the altar and reredos of dark oak in three large panels.) It has been suggested that there should be inscribed on these panels the names and crests of the ships of the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy which took part in the various engagements ; and of the regiments and the R.A.F. squadrons that served in Malta. This will be in part or whole the sift of Spectator readers.
Briefly, St. Paul's is an austere building, and we propose to give it the effect of rich -furnishing which it needs. There will be gilding on the dark oak ; crimson damask cushions in the stalls ; flags or standards above them ; and heraldry in due place. Two small spur screens, such as are found in some of the London City churches, will form the entrance to the Shrine or East End, but will not obscure the view of it from the nave. Not the least merit of the scheme is the opening up of the Portico upon Queen Adelaide Square, and the repair of the valuable organ. It is hoped also to make improvements to the Clergy House and to the Cathedral Hall.
May I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to readers of The Spectator for their handsome gesture of goodwill and for the substantial contribution they have made.
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