Gozo Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi, 81, was hospitalised this evening. Informed sources said his condition is critical but stable.

He is in an induced coma and being treated in the cardiac unit of Gozo General Hospital.

Bishop Mgr Mario Grech was among those who visited him and urged the faithful to pray for him.

Mgr Cauchi's family has asked for his privacy to be respected.

Mgr Cauchi was born at the family home in Gharb on March 2, 1929.

After his ordination in 1952, he studied sociology and philosophy in Rome before being appointed parish priest in Fontana. He was named as the Apostolic Administrator for Gozo in 1967 and was thus effectively in charge of the diocese - before taking over as Bishop of Gozo from the ailing Bishop Joseph Pace in 1972. He held the position until stepping down in January 2006 and since then has kept his hands full with writing, teaching and broadcasting.

See interview with Mgr Cauchi at

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090301/interview/man-of-distinctions

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