Update with congratulation messages below – Pope Francis has appointed the Reverend Anton Teuma as the new Bishop of Gozo. The Vatican, in a statement, said that he is currently episcopal delegate for the family and head of the John Paul II Family Institute of Gozo.

He takes over the post from Bishop Mario Grech, who was appointed by Pope Francis as General Pro-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops in October last year. Bishop Grech assumes the responsibilities of General Secretary once Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the actual General Secretary, concludes his mandate.

The Reverend Anton Teuma was born in Xaghra, in Gozo, on 11th of January 1964. After his secondary school studies at the diocesan minor seminary, he carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the major seminary of Gozo.

He was subsequently sent to Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate in science of education from the Pontifical Salesian University.

He was ordained a priest on 25th of June 1988 for the diocese of Gozo. In agreement with the bishop, he remained in Rome until 1997, exercising the following ministries: parish vicar in the parish of Sant’Ignazio di Antiochia (1988-1995); spiritual father at the Pontifical Roman Seminary (1995-1997); head and spiritual assistant of the Eucharistic Communities of the diocese of Rome (1996-1997).

Upon returning to his diocese, he served as rector of the major seminary of Gozo from 1997 to 2007. After a sabbatical year of study and prayer in the Holy Land, from 1998 to 2016 he was head and spiritual assistant of the Eucharistic Communities of the diocese of Gozo.

He is currently episcopal delegate for the family and head of the John Paul II Family Institute in Gozo. Finally, since 1997 he has served as member of the college of consulters and of the diocesan presbyteral and pastoral councils.

Pope Francis appointed Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, as General Pro-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops. Bishop Grech assumes the responsibilities of General Secretary once Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the actual General Secretary, concludes his mandate.

Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, in a statement, congratulated the Bishop-elect Mons. Anton Teuma, on his appointment.

The Bishops thanked 63-year old Bishop Mario Grech for his work over the past 14 years year as pastor of the Diocese of Gozo and as a key collaborator in the Maltese Episcopal Conference.

Archbishop Scicluna and Bishop Galea-Curmi promised their prayers and that of the Church in Malta for the Bishop-elect and for the Diocese of Gozo.

The Bishop-elect was also congratulated on his appointment by Prime Minister Robert Abela, and the Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia.

The Gozo NGOs Association gave their congratulations to the Bishop-elect, wishing him luck in his new appointment, adding that the Association looks forward to meeting him to discuss thoughts and ideas for the future.

The Association went on to thank Bishop Mario Grech for his work within the Diocese and wish him well in his new post.

LGBTI+ Gozo has congratulated Bishop-elect Anton Teuma, a fellow Gozitan who is now the new spiritual leader for the Catholic Church in Gozo.

The organisation said that it is a “firm believer that there is beauty in diversity.”

The organisation added that it appreciates the importance of the Church in Gozo, and said that it “looks forward to working with the new Bishop to ensure that spirituality and sexuality can live together, be it on an individual, community or regional level. Moreover, it expresses its desire to work closely with different faiths on the regional island and create a cross dialogue of understanding and cooperation.”

LGBTI+ Gozo concluded by thanking Bishop Mario Grech for his work in Gozo and wish him all well in his new post.

 

 

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