Gozo Diocese

Born in Victoria, Gozo, Mgr Joseph Farrugia received his secondary education at the Gozo Lyceum and his philosophical and theological training at the Gozo Major Seminary. Ordained priest in 1978 he was sent by Bishop Nikol Cauchi to continue post-graduate studies in Rome where he graduated Doctor in Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Fr Farrugia also studied at the Lateran University and the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies.

In 1983 he became a lecturer in theology at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary of Gozo, and in 1988 he joined the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta; where he also lectures in ecumenism. Mgr Farrugia has also given courses in Mediterrenean civilizations and religions.

Mgr Farrugia was the first to deliver university lectures in Gozo on the establishment of the University of Malta’s Gozo Centre. On its behalf in 1994 he started to coordinate a highly successful series of public lectures on the history and culture of the island. He is the author of various works including contributions to international theological publications.

Between 1998 and 2007, that is until recently, Mgr Farrugia was archpriest at St George’s basilica. During this time he promoted culture in all its forms as a medium of evangelization and renovated the St George’s Parish Centre, adding major annexes including a clergy house and a media centre that runs the popular Leħen il-Belt Victoria community radio. He has also projected an archeological and fine arts museum.

Mgr Farrugia is the co-founder of the renowned Laudate Pueri Choir as well as of the Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria. He co-promoted the annual Victoria International Arts Festival.which is the long-est running annual arts festival in the Maltese Islands. Mgr Farrugia is a long-standing chaplain to the Victoria Scouts Group.

In January 2008, the Maltese Episcopal Conference appointed Mgr Farrugia President of the Commission ‘The Church in Malta and Europe’. Mgr Farrugia has also been given responsibility by the Bishop of Gozo for Culture in the diocese of Gozo.