Archbishop's message to missionaries

Archbishop Joseph Mercieca paid tribute to four Maltese missionaries who died this year when he delivered his Christmas message to missionaries.

He mentioned Fr Mikiel Balzan who worked in the diocese of Osasco, Brazil; Fr Peter Paul Borda, a missionary in Australia and the US, Fr Frank Lewis, who had retired at Dar tal-Kleru after having worked in Egypt, the UK, Canada and the US and Fr Herculan de Maria who worked in India, Ethiopia and the US.

Apart from noting the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of his successor, Mgr Mercieca referred to the nomination of Mgr Mario Grech as the new bishop of the Gozo diocese. He congratulated Mgr Grech on his appointment and thanked outgoing Bishop Nikol Cauchi.

The Archbishop said Mgr Cauchi had always encouraged missionaries and praised him for his love towards Maltese and Gozitans living abroad and towards those who worked for their welfare.

Mgr Mercieca said the nomination of Fr Albert Brincat as Apostolic Administrator in Bolivia was an honour for the Maltese.

He welcomed Bishop Vicar Adeodatus Micallef back to Malta after spending a number of years working as Apostolic Vicar in Kuwait.