Almost 10 years since the death of Dun Mikiel Attard, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech led a concelebrated Mass involving over 30 priests at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary, during which he declared open the diocesan process for Attard’s beatification and sanctification.

The ceremony was attended by a sizable congregation, including Attard’s brothers and sisters, among whom was Cathedral archpriest Joseph Attard and former Minister Giovanna Debono.

In his homily, the bishop extolled Attard’s virtues and said that over a 100 priests had signed a petition to hold this process. Fr Tony Sciberras is the postulator and seminary rector Daniel Xerri is his assistant.

To date, 65 witnesses have come forward to declare under oath their spiritual and other experiences with Attard who throughout his life emphasised God’s divine mercy to those who err and renewed hundreds in their spiritual life.

Attard was born at Nadur on October 1, 1933 and ordained on April 12, 1959. After a life dedicated to priests and lay people in Gozo, as well as the poor in the missions whom he visited every summer, he passed away on July 30, 2004.