The Leone Philharmonic Society of Victoria has suspended its directives to parishioners of the Cathedral Church in Victoria against the Gozo Curia, following a "very positive" meeting yesterday between the society, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and the new archpriest of the Cathedral Church Mgr Joseph Attard.
Leone president Michael Caruana said "substantial progress" had been registered during the meeting which among other matters discussed the assigning of the administration of Cathedral projects on behalf of the Cathedral Chapter to former archpriest Mgr Joe Vella Gauci.
Dr Caruana said that further meetings are to be held in the near future to discuss Mgr Vella Gauci's new role.
The society now expected Bishop Grech to send for Mgr Vella Gauci to discuss his position, he said.
In a joint statement last night, the Gozo Curia and the society said the meeting, held on the initiative of Mgr Attard, clarified a number of issues in order for the parties to continue to work together in mutual respect according to their respective competencies. The new archpriest and the society expressed appreciation for Mgr Vella Gauci's work and expressed the wish that he continue to contribute to the life of the Church.
Bishop Grech, while stressing that relations with priests were his sole responsibility, said he appreciated this sentiment and was already working towards that end, the statement said.
Trouble between the society and the Curia was sparked off by last September's controversial reshuffle in the Gozo diocese, particularly the replacement of the archpriest of the Gozo Cathedral Mgr Joe Vella Gauci with Mgr Joseph Attard who had worked in Rome for a number of years. The society had complained of not being consulted.
The society, which is closely associated with the Cathedral parish, strongly deplored the removal of archpriest Mgr Vella Gauci and urged parishioners to show their disapproval in a civil manner. Parishioners were urged not to take part in functions conducted by Bishop Grech at the Cathedral or in the installation ceremony of the new archpriest.
The society had insisted that outgoing archpriest Mgr Vella Gauci should have his post terminated in an honourable way and not in the humiliating manner in which he was replaced.
The directives have now been suspended.