Appreciation - Mgr John Dimech

Fr Geoffrey G. Attard, writes:
In the late morning hours of January 6, Mgr John Dimech passed away at Gozo General Hospital after an active life of 86 years.

Mgr Dimech was born in Floriana in December 1922 and educated at St Aloysius' College and the Gozo Seminary. After a few years his family moved to Balzan and later moved to Gozo during World War II.

Dimech was ordained to the priesthood in 1949. He was co-founder of the Christux Rex society and he was private secretary to Archbishop Michael Gonzi from 1961 to 1968.

Dimech was also spiritual director and counsellor in government and private schools for over 25 years. He served as ecclesiastical assistant for the Catholic Action Teachers' Movement and rector of Our Lady of Victories Church in Valletta.

Pope John Paul II chose Mgr Dimech as one of his chaplains on July 23, 1998. He was honorary canon of St Paul's Collegiate parish church, Valletta, and of St George's Collegiate Basilica, Victoria.

A decree issued on June 25, 2002, by Grand Master Fra Andrew Bertie conferred upon Mgr Dimech the honour of Grand Cross Conventual Chaplain ad honorem.

Mgr Dimech was also a renowned writer and researcher. He wrote numerous articles about Archbishop Gonzi, and also wrote The History of Hal Balzan in 1996. He also published The Biography of Saints and Blessed of the Order in 1989, and Spirituality and Formation of Members, Future Members and Volunteers of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 2006.

For many years, Mgr Dimech used to accompany the sick and disabled on pilgrimages to Lourdes.

He will be remembered as a priest who dedicated his entire life to the service of mankind, especially the poor and those in need. His funeral took place at St George's Basilica, Victoria, last Friday.