Mgr Giovanni GauciMgr Giovanni Gauci

A bronze bust of Mgr Nikol Cauchi officially unveiled last week to mark the second anniversary of his death was a gift inspired by Gozo’s Vicar General, who wanted to show his great respect towards the former bishop.

Set on his new tombstone at the Gozo Cathedral in Victoria, the bust is a lifelike depiction of Mgr Cauchi – capturing his smile and large, round glasses.

“I spent almost all my life with Mgr Cauchi and I wanted to give him this gift,” Mgr Giovanni Gauci said.

The idea of creating a bust came to Mgr Gauci when, together with Mgr Cauchi, he started making preparations for the bishop’s tomb.

“He chose the place of his tombstone in the Cathedral – he preferred not to have it in the open, saying ‘it was better for it to be somewhere quiet,’” Mgr Gauci said.

He would suffer himself to help others out. He tried to please everyone, even if it meant suffering humiliation himself

The Vicar General also mentioned that he wanted to create a bust – the bishop agreed to the idea but told him “not to spend a lot of money”.

Designed by Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, the marble work of the tombstone was carried out by Raymond Bonello. The tomb and monument were blessed by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech during a Mass celebrated last week for the repose of Mgr Cauchi’s soul.

Mgr Cauchi died on November 15, 2010, aged 81, at Mater Dei Hospital after a short illness. He had been Bishop of Gozo between 1972 and 2006.

Before he passed away, Mgr Cauchi had seen the designs of the tombstone and bust and gave his approved. “It’s good (kollox sew) – that’s what he told me,” Mgr Gauci said.

The designs were finalised in 2010, with the approval of the dioceses of Malta and Gozo.

Many people, parishes and organisations contributed towards the monument.

“He was greatly loved – I admired him a lot especially for his phenomenal intelligence,” Mgr Gauci said.

The former bishop also had a great sense of pastoral charity. “He would suffer himself to help others out – he tried to please everyone even if it meant suffering humiliation himself,” he said.

Mgr Cauchi worked hard for unity in the dioceses and wanted to create spiritual unity. “He was always ready to listen – some people said he was too kind but he was always ready to listen and put in a good word for people to reach an agreement,” Mgr Gauci said.

In his homily during the commemoration Mass, Mgr Grech spoke of the legacies Mgr Cauchi had left behind and said Christ was the focal point of the late bishop’s life and ministry.

“He knew how to remove life’s frills – he lived a simple life, as Jesus was the essence of his life.”

Speaking about the importance of interpreting the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel and Jesus Christ, Mgr Grech said: “I’m convinced that Bishop Cauchi was a prophet, in a certain way, as he was the one who, during his episcopate, helped the Church and the country read the signs of the times.”

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