On the twelfth anniversary of Rev. Professor Peter Serracino Inglott’s death, a foundation bearing his name was launched with the purpose of preserving and propagating his intellectual and cultural legacy, not least his innovative approach to social and political challenges. The Foundation was launched on 16 March 2024 at Robert Sammut Hall in Floriana, after Mass was celebrated at Sarria Church by His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.
The inaugural lecture was given by the distinguished architect, Professor Richard England, a friend of Fr Peter’s for over 60 years. Prof. England spoke of their various collaboration across a range of fields, from architecture to the arts, as well as about the esteem Fr Peter enjoyed in many countries and international organisations. Prof. England concluded on a personal note: how, at Fr Peter’s demise, he felt that part of him had also passed and that entire chapters of his life had been torn out.
Fr Peter is considered to have been one of modern Malta’s most acute and creative minds. He was a life-long student and researcher, studying at Oxford, Paris and Milan. Professor of Philosophy at the University of Malta for several decades, he also served as Rector from 1987-88 and 1991-96. He taught at several universities abroad and was a recipient of honours from several universities and states. For many years, he was chaplain to the Young Christian Workers movement in Malta. He was a longstanding adviser to the Government of Malta and represented Malta at the Convention on the Future of Europe held in 2002 and 2003.
In 1962, he was ordained priest by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini (who, the following year, would be elected Pope Paul VI and, in 2018, would be canonised a saint). In both his philosophical and socio-political activity, Fr Peter was associated particularly with the development of the concept of the Common Heritage of humanity and the rights of future generations. In his work with youth and workers, he was keen to develop a meaningful Christian activism in favour of democracy, liberty, and social and environmental justice. For many of the men and women he worked with, he was a model, known for his approachability and readiness to help anyone. Fondazzjoni Peter Serracino Inglott was founded by public deed on 19 January 2024.
The first Board of Administrators is made up of the founders Dr Louis Galea, Prof. Petra Caruana Dingli, Ranier Fsadni and Mother Abbess Maria Adeodata Testaferrata de Noto OSB of St Peter’s Monastery. The official seat of the foundation is within St Peter’s Monastery, Mdina, where the archive, documents, writings and memorabilia of Peter Serracino Inglott have been gathered.
The life and work of Fr Peter are witness to a man of firm conviction and values, faithful to them in his everyday life while seeking to keep them fresh and relevant. The Foundation shall work to preserve and develop Fr Peter’s legacy in the various fields he contributed to. The aims of the Foundation include the promotion of thought and policies addressing social and communitarian progress, environmental justice, human rights, conflict resolution, the development of a democratic environment, and culture, heritage and the arts.
The foundation shall be responsible for conserving Fr Peter’s archive and making it available for researchers.
In particular, the Foundation shall:
a) propagate knowledge of Fr Peter’s contributions to the various areas he was interested in, including religion, philosophy, culture, education, the common good and common heritage, the rights of future generations, Mediterranean and maritime affairs, communication technologies and political thought, not least with reference to Malta;
b) collect, receive and conserve the documents, books, memorabilia and any other work in any form that, in the Board’s view, would illuminate his intellectual legacy;
c) ensure that the archive is available to the public and researchers under conditions established by the Board;
d) use its available resources to encourage scholarly research in the areas close to Fr Peter’s interests.
The Foundation can be contacted via email.