Sep 29 - Monsignor Mark Miles And Others Honoured With Gibraltar Medallions
Pope Francis’ translator Monsignor Mark Miles was among those who received the Gibraltar Medallion of Distinction at a ceremony held in City Hall today.
While Msgr Miles was recognised for his service to the Pope, Joe Schembri, Jaime Felices, Henry Pinna, Joseph Santos GA and Robert Goldwin MBE were all recognised for their individual contributions to Gibraltar’s community.
After the event, Msgr Miles was given a signed copy of the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia’s book Gibraltar the Making of a People.
Msgr Miles, who accompanied Pope Francis on his US tour caught the attention of the international media while visiting President Barack Obama in the White House, and then continuing his trip to New York, where Pope Francis addressed the UN, and then Philadelphia, before flying into Gibraltar to receive the Medallion of Distinction today.
He said: “I feel very honoured to have received this medallion as a Gibraltarian, and I would like to thank the Chief Minister, Parliament, and the Mayor because I have felt the support.
“Sometimes it is easy to make mistakes in translation but I have felt the support and the prayers, so thank you.”
An earlier ceremony was held at Grand Battery House nearly two weeks ago, however the people who were not able to make it to the last event were honoured today.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo told the recipients and their families: “Each of you are a hugely important part of the tapestry that is Gibraltar, and you have given so much to make this community what it is.
“What the government and parliament are saying is, from the community to you, thank you. It is now time for the community to give back to you in a small way.”
The wives of former mayors were also honoured by Mayor Adolfo Canepa who handed out brooches with Gibraltar’s Coat of Arms to Paddy Alcantara, Carmen Lima, his own wife Julie Canepa and Olga Zammitt, even though she was mayor herself.
Mr Canepa said the Mayors in Gibraltar put in a lot of hours of work for their role, however it is their wives who deserve recognition today, as they are the ones who stood beside their husbands while they served Gibraltar.
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