Mgr Joe Bonello ofm, formerly of Xaghra, Gozo, was ordained bishop in a ceremony in the parish of San Geltrude in Honduras on Saturday.

The country's President, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, was among those who attended.

The ordination was presided by Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, assisted by the Apostolic Nuncio Luigi Bianco and another 12 bishops including Maltese bishop Mgr Robert Camilleri ofm.

Those present included provincial Fr Sandro Overend, ofm and a number of Franciscan priests from Malta, Xaghra Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo and many people from the parish of La Libertad, where Mgr Bonello used to work.

Relatives and missionaries from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador also attended.

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