Obituary: Canon John Ciarlo

Can. John Ciarlo passed away on Thursday 30 May 2019. His funeral was held on Saturday 1 June 2019 at the Collegiate Church of St Paul's Shipwreck, Valletta.

On a personal level, I will always remember him for three things:

Firstly, he always had a positive outlook. Christianity is the faith which embraces the resurrection and the Christian always has to carry the joy of the resurrection.

Secondly, he once said something which I must have repeated a thousand times simply because it made so much sense; the greatest tragedy is that many people go through life without knowing that God loves them. In a love-less world, this still makes so much sense.

Thirdly, he was the first editor to ever publish my work. There aren't that many people who take chances on 21 year olds but he did and I've never looked back since.

We last spoke when I had reviewed his latest book on faith and science. It was an honour to be asked to do so. I re-read that e-mail this morning and it was, as always, full of encouragement and kindness. He was a wonderful man.

My short tribute and personal recollection of this wonderful and holy priest can be read by clicking here.

May he rest in peace.