Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, will be celebrating today, Tuesday, the 26th of May, 25 years of priesthood. He was ordained priest at the Cathedral Church in Gozo by Bishop Nichoas J Cauchi. He was ordained together with Mgr Alfred Xureb, now assistant secretary to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

After his ordination Mgr Grech was sent abroad to further his studies, first at the Lateran Pontifical University and then at the Angelicum Pontifical University. Mgr Grech holds a docrorate in Canon Law. Upon his return to Gozo, Mgr Grech served in the ecclesiastical tribunal, both in Gozo and in Malta. He was later appointed Judicial Vicar in Gozo. As a priest, he was involved in pastoral work in his native parish of Kercem and at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary. Before being consecrated bishop of Gozo, Mgr Grech was parish priest of Kercem.

On the occasion of his 25th priestly ordination, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI invited Mgr Grech together with Mgr Alfred Xuereb to concelebrate with him at his private chapel. Afterwards, Mgr Grech is to dine with the Pope.

The Diocese of Gozo will commemorate Bishop Grech’s silver jubilee with a concelebrated mass at the Gozo Cathedral on Friday, the 26th of June.

During this week Bishop Grech is taking part in the 59th General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference being held in Rome. He is expected to deliver a message on behalf of the Episcopal Conference of Malta.

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