Tomorrow, Thursday, the of 16th September, the Diocese celebrates the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its establishment. Pope Pius IX through the Bull Singulari Amore – With utmost love, from the first two words of the document – established the diocese of Gozo on the 16th of September 1864.

Thus in 1864 the dream of a diocese in Gozo finally became a reality, A Bishop, Cathedral and a Seminary. For one hundred and fifty years, the tiny island of about 30,000 people benefited not just from the work of the local church, but with the six hundred parish priest who served within.

The first request for a Gozitan Diocese was made in 1798, by Archpriest Saverio Cassar. After sixty-six years of battle and heartbreak, two illustrious benefactors, Dun Pietru Pace and Sir Adrian Dingli, struggled and attained the wish of the clergy and people of Gozo.

The establishment of the Diocese, which also includes the tiny island of Comino, was officially announced by the Pope on the 22nd of September1864. The first Bishop was Mons. Michael Francis Buttigieg, from Qala, then the Archpriest of Rabat.

To mark this special occasion, on Tuesday, a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving at 7.00pm led by Bishop. Mario Grech at the Cathedral of the Assumption, which also celebrates the one hundred and fiftieth year as the Diocesan Bishop’s Seat. In Gozo churches there will be solemn adoration all day, ending at 6.00pm.

Expected to concelebrate the Mass tomorrow with Mons Grech, are Mons. Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio to Malta, Mons. Paul Cremona OP, Archbishop of Malta, as well as Mons. George Antonysamy, the new Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore in India, and Fr George Antonysamy, Archbishop in India, who is currently on a visit to Malta, will lead the Mass.

The Papal Bull, which is normally housed in the Diocesan Archives will be exposed in the cathedral. The mass will be aired live on TVM2, and radio stations Radju Marija, Radju RTK 103fm and Radju Malta.

Meanwhile the Post Office in Victoria will be issuing a special postcard and commemorative hand stamp celebrating the anniversary, through the Gozo Philatelic Society in collaboration with the Diocesan Curia

Also tomorrow, The National Statistics Office, through its new branch in Gozo, will publish statistics entitled Diocese of Gozo from 1864-2014.

Permalink: Gozo Diocese celebrates its 150th anniversary on Tuesday with special Mass