Last Saturday, 19th January 2008 Mgr Tommaso Caputo, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Malta and Libya, made his first official visit to the Diocese of Gozo. In the morning the Nuncio met and prayed with the local clergy at the Good Shepherd’s Church in Victoria. During the meeting, the Nuncio was welcomed by an address delivered by Rev Can Frankie Bajada, Archpriest of Għajnsielem Parish and by the Bishop of Gozo. The Nuncio delivered a hearfelt message to the clergy, who gave the Nuncio a very warm welcome. A large number of priests had lunch with the Nuncio and with Bishop Grech.
For welcome delivered by Rev Can Frankie Bajada click here.
For welcome message by Bishop Grech at Good Sheperd’s Church click here.
In the afternoon the Nuncio visited the sick and staff at the Gozo General Hospital in Victoria. The Nuncio, accompanied by Bishop Grech, was welcomed and shown around by Dr Anthony Livori MD (Super) and Mr Paul Buttigieg (N.O). The hospital chaplains – Fr Joe Cardona, Can Michael Mintoff, Fr John Muscat, Mgr Rosario Borg, Mgr Francis Debrincat and Can Joseph Sultana – accompanied the Nuncio in the wards. After a visit to the Blessed Sacrament in the Hospital Chapel, the Nuncio visited the ITU and CCU wards, the Female and Male wards, and Maternity ward. The Nuncio ended his visit greeting staff at the Emergency.
At 18:00 the Nuncio presided mass at the Cathedral Church. He was accompanied by Bishop Mario Grech and by Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi as concelebrants, and many priests. The congregation represented the fifteen parishes of Gozo, and delegations of the Institutes of Consecrated and Apostolic Life and Lay Movements.
Bishop Grech’s speech click here.
Nuncio’s Homily click here.
