On Wednesday morning, Cardinal-elect Mario Grech paid his first visit to Bishop Anton Teuma at the Gozo Curia, where he also met with Curia staff.

The Gozo Curia said that Fr Mario then went to greet the College of Parish Priests who had gathered at the Good Shepherd Pastoral Centre for their monthly meeting.

As that day it was also the 154th anniversary of the founding of the Gozo Seminary, and to mark the occasion the Cardinal-elect went visited this house of formation, which he called his “Alma Mater.” Here he met with the Rector and the formation team.

In a short address to the members of the Curia and the Parish Priests, Bishop Mario Grech said, “I am very grateful to this Church in Gozo because it was she who shaped me as a human being, as a Christian, and in the priestly ministry and episcopal.”

“I am convinced that one of the reasons why Pope Francis called me to this mission of Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops is the pastoral experience I have gained with you. In other words, it was the people of God on this island who helped and prepared me to be entrusted with this responsibility today,” said Bishop Grech.

“My work will not take me away from this beloved diocese of ours. I grew here and my roots will always be here. I am fortunate to be able to enjoy the closeness of our Bishop Fr Anton who is a good shoulder for me,” he said.

The Bishop concluded by saying, “I will not forget what he told me before I left last September – that I will be a guardian of communion in the Church. Synodality and communion are two sides of the same coin. Bishop Teuma’s programme based on the motto ‘And He walked along with them’ bodes well for synodality to be a distinctive feature of this Church. Count me as one of you. Thank you for everything. ”

Bishop Teuma congratulated Mons. Grech and invited everyone to continue to support him with their human love and prayer. He said that “the mission of the Cardinal-elect is one that has been placed more than before as a servant of us and of the whole Church.”

Also on Wednesday, together with the Maltese Bishops, Mons. Grech paid a courtesy call on President Dr George Vella, while on Tuesday he was welcomed for a dinner in his honour with the Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Alessandro D’Errico.

Photos: Gozo Diocese

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