During a short ceremony at the Bishop’s Curia, Victoria, the Bishop of Gozo. Mgr. Mario Grech, presented the decoration Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (PEP) to Mr. Joseph W. Psaila, from Victoria.

This honour is conferred by the Pope for distinguished service given to the Church by lay people and clergy.

In the presence of officials of the Curia, friends and collaborators of the diocesan magazine Il-Hajja f’Ghawdex, for which he was editor for ten years, the bishop spoke about how Mr Psaila had thoughts and love in his heart for Christ, for man and Gozo. Bishop Grech also thanked him for his assistance especially in the first years of episcopal ministry, in working with Church schools.

Mr Psaila, while showing his appreciation to His Holiness Pope Francis and to Bishop Grech for the honour, stated that was also welcome on behalf of so many others who collaborated with him in working for the benefit of the people of God in Gozo.

He said that he felt indebted to the Church in Gozo, so he gave back through his service and with gratitude to God. He saluted the memory of Bishop Nikol G.Cauchi and Mons. Anton Sultana, with whom he had worked closely in the Catholic media field.During a Mass held in March for the English Catholic community in Gozo at the Seminary Chapel, Victoria, the Bishop also presented the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice to Ms Audrey Pace, who for fifty years has worked very closely within the community and for the spiritual welfare of British Catholics living in Gozo.

Photographs by Joe Grech

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