The late Fr Ġwann Xerri, the Dominican friar who died earlier this year in Brazil, was among those awarded Republic Day honours by President George Vella on Monday.

This year’s honour list featured a number of medical doctors and professional, including St John Rescue Corps.

Other recipients include record-breaking swimmer Neil Falzon and Sean Meli who rescued a young Chinese national who was swept to sea at Qui-Si-Sana in November.

Fr Ġwann Xerri was made an honorary member of the National Order of Merit for being a “strong, consistent, and forceful voice in favour of those who lost their land, the homeless, indigenous people, women, and homosexuals.”

He defended the rights of the poor and the marginalised even in those areas where he was threatened and in danger. Xerri died as he lived, in solidarity with the poor, the suffering, the marginalised and as a victim of Covid-19 in Brazil, on 30 May 2021.

Former Labour MP Reno Calleja was awarded the National Order of Merit “for his assiduous endeavour to promote Malta internationally, particularly with the People’s Republic of China.”

Calleja was a founding member of the Malta/China Friendship Society serving as President for a long number of years and was also instrumental in setting up the Malta/China Chamber of Commerce.

The former tourism minister is currently an advisor about Chinese affairs to the Rector of the University of Malta and government representative to the Council of the University of Malta.

Sir Alfred Cuschieri was also awarded the National Order of Merit. The Maltese-British academic and surgeon is best known for his pioneering contribution to the development and clinical implementation of minimal access surgery, also known as key-hole surgery.

Ludvic Zrinzo – one of the UK’s most accomplished academic neurosurgeons – was also awarded the National Order of Merit.

Darrin Quiroz Camilleri, the first-ever Maltese-American and youngest Latino to serve in the Michigan Legislature, was made an honorary member.

Other recipients include architect and former Labour MEP candidate Lino Bianco, Malta’s former high commissioner to the UK and popular TV presenter Norman Hamilton, and deputy prime minister Chris Fearne’s father Frederick who was the first Director of Education in the 1980s.

Veteran producer and theatre director Lino Farrugia, author Anton Grasso, actor Jane Marshall, and broadcaster Lilian Maistre were also honoured.

Source: Newsbook.com.mt