The Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, today celebrates his 74th birthday.
He was born in Victoria, and was educated at the Gozo Seminary, the Gregorian University and the Lateran University.
Mgr Mercieca was ordained on March 8, 1952 and was in 1969 appointed Judge of the Sacred Roman Rota.
He was also consultor to the Congregation of the Sacraments and of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.
Mgr Mercieca was appointed auxiliary bishop of Malta on July 27, 1974, and Archbishop of Malta on December 12, 1976.