Pope Francis has nominated Gozitan priest Fr George Bugeja as coadjutor bishop of Tripoli, the capital of troubled Libya.

The Xagħra priest’s mission will be to assist the frail 73-year-old Apostolic Vicar of the Libyan capital Fr Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli who has been at the helm for 30 years.

Fr Bugeja will be the second Maltese bishop to serve in Libya, along with Fr Sylvester Magro, the bishop of Benghazi.

The announcement was made yesterday by Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Roberto Cassari at the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Għarb, who was making his first official visit to the Gozo diocese following his appointment.

Speaking with Times of Malta, shortly after the news was broken, bishop-elect Fr Bugeja, 53, acknowledged he was left “speechless”, when he learnt about the appointment a few days ago.

“It was not an appointment I was after and so thought that God would look after me. Hence I accepted and said yes,” he said.

Fr Bugeja will be the second Gozitan priest to be ordained bishop in a foreign country, following Fr Joe Bonello, who was appointed coadjutor bishop of Juticalpa, Honduras five years ago.

However, the threat posed by Islamic extremists in Libya immediately raised questions about his safety. In fact the ordination ceremony will be held at Ta’ Pinu on September 4 and not in Libya, due to security concerns. Fr Bugeja is fully aware of the potential danger ahead. Last February, Tripoli’s Apostolic Vicar defied death threats from Islamic extremists, and opted to remain with his flock.

It was not an appointment I was after

Though Fr Bugeja had a brief two-month stint in Libya in 1986, the situation on the ground three decades later has changed completely.

“I trust in God, he will lead me. My message to the people is to pray for me and the small Tripoli community,” Fr Bugeja told this newspaper.

Asked about the reaction of his family, the bishop-elect did not mince his words.

“They only got to know a few minutes ago, as I was bound by secrecy. Their presence here was due to the fact I told them that this would be a commemoration to mark the 29th anniversary of my ordination,” he added.

For Gozo bishop Mario Grech, who was also present for yesterday’s announcement, the appointment felt like a “gift” to mark the 150 anniversary of the Gozitan Diocese.

“Fr Bugeja stands out for his simplicity, kind heartedness and humility,” Mgr Grech said.

There are currently around 50,000 Catholics in Libya, mostly in Tripoli and its surroundings. They account for less than one per cent of the total population.

Fr George Bugeja’s ordination ceremony will be held in Gozo in September.

Biography

Born on July 1, 1962, in Xagħra, son of the late Emmanuel and Marija, George Bugeja was the eldest among five boys, and was ordained priest on July 5, 1986.

His pastoral work included stints in Libya (1987), Toronto (1987-1988) and later as guardian of the Franciscan community in Ħamrun, Għajnsielem, Rabat and Porziuncola retreat house in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.

Fr Bugeja also served as Sacro Cuor parish priest in Sliema between 2004 and 2008, in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Gozo, as well as a ministry formator in the Gozo seminary.

Between 2010 and last March he was a member of the Propaganda Fidei Congregation in Rome. Last January, he was appointed Guardian at St Anthony’s Convent in Għajnsielem and bishop’s delegate for the religious persons.