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19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 JANUARY 2019 Mikiel Galea Blessing of animals NEWBORN piglets, dogs, cats, birds and horses were recently subjected to a "blessing" outside a Rabat church on the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, the so-called patron saint of animals. The blessing of animals is nothing more than a superstition. The sprin- kling of water over them by a priest makes no difference to their lives. Animals do not need any blessings, as Walt Whitman wrote in Leaves of Grass: "I think I could turn and live awhile with the animals... they are so placid and self-contained, I stand and look at them sometimes half the day long. They do not sweat or whine about their condition. They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins. They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God... No one is dissatis- fied... not one is demented with the mania of owning things. Not one kneels to another nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago." John Guillaumier, St Julian's Regeneration of Xlendi Bay ON Saturday 12 January 2019, minis- ters Konrad Mizzi and Justyne Caruana revealed their joint plans towards the regeneration of Xlendi Bay in Gozo. The bay is a resort which is popular with locals and foreigners alike and draws towards it a multitude of visi- tors who enjoy the picturesque views it offers. It is to be recommended that the eroded sandy beach be replenished, boathouses regenerated and parking slots created. All such renovations are in order, considering the reputation of the locality as a favourite seaside resort for families. However, planning also needs to take into serious consideration the accessibility to the promenade. It is a logical consequence to have restaurants, bars and cafes springing up like mushrooms in a touristic area such as Xlendi. Yet, it is also the right of all citizens to enjoy the open space re- quired for families, holiday-makers and persons with disability to relax without having to queue up for the possibility to move around. Space allotted to res- taurant tables and vending stalls neces- sitates careful planning and wise deci- sion-making in order to allow for the much appreciated commercial activity, but no less for the free and undeterred enjoyment of the space belonging to the general public. With the proposed regeneration pro- ject, it stands to reason that the number of people choosing Xlendi Bay as their entertainment option will tend to in- crease. Consequently the swimming area, as presently limited, results in being even more restricted. During the summer months, the unpleasant expe- rience of swimmers bumping into each other due to lack of space has already been a sore point. So, there is hope that this issue is taken in consideration for a positive solution in the proposed plan. One crucial point regarding the ac- cessibility of the area to persons with disability is of concern to all stake- holders in the sector. Considering the usurping of the embankments by the commercial sector flourishing in Xlendi, one can hardly imagine the possibility of wheelchair bound persons to ever be granted the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon at the resort. With the congestion created by the external extensions to the restaurants, persons with mobility impairments quit even the very thought of reaching the area, let alone move in their own way along the embankment. The Malta Federation of Organisa- tions Persons with Disabilty (MFOPD) appeals to the authorities concerned to include genuine and earnest considera- tion with regards to the rights of per- sons with disability at the outset of any planning targeted for Xlendi Bay. Dis- ability is no hindrance from pleasure of the simple beauties of nature, nor from the right to enjoy seaside outings at beaches belonging to the general public. Maria Pia Gauci, MFOPD Letters & Clarifications