Updated 4.45 p.m:
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech urged the people of Malta and Gozo today to embrace the vision promoted by Mgr Nikol Cauchi during his long episcopate.
Delivering the homily at the funeral of his predecessor, Mgr Grech said Mgr Cauchi was a profound visionary who put man at the centre of life and Christ at its heart.
“The best monument we can have for him it to embrace even a little of his vision," Mgr Grech told the congregation which packed the Cathedral in Victoria.
Society, he said, had an uncertain future when it did not have a vision and proper targets which it could achieve.
Today, however, society was suffering because its vision was limited and it was closed to God. The current vision was one where man, instead of being at the heart of society, was merely a cog in the wheel of life.
A vision open to God was also a vision for humanity.
Mgr Cauchi, through his episcopate and his writings, had displayed unceasing enthusiasm, energy and passion to transmit his love for Christ and, through it, His vision for society and its development.
He also showed no fear in rigorously applying the teachings of the Church because the teachings of the Church gave order and proper morals to life, Mgr Grech said.
He said he wanted to thank Mgr Cauchi for his love for the Church and the Nation and to ask for his forgiveness whenever he was obstructed in his pastoral mission.
He prayed to Mgr Cauchi to help him follow his example, to bless the nation so that it could embrace the vision which opened new horizons for all,” Mgr Grech said to applause.
Before the start of the Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Tommaso Caputo conveyed a message of condolences from Pope Benedict, who praised Mgr Cauchi for his long and devoted ministry and his dedication for evangelisation, although through radio and the printed media.
Mgr Caputo recalled that when he visited Mgr Cauchi in hospital, a day before the Pope started his recent trip to Spain, the bishop emeritus told him that he was offering his pain for the Pope’s trip to be a success.
GOZO FALLS SILENT FOR BISHOP'S FUNERAL
The funeral Mass was preceded by a funeral cortège which emerged from the Bishop's Curia in Republic Street at 3.10 p.m. and made slow progress past Independence Square and up the steep hill to the Cathedral.
People lined most of the route, watching quietly except for the occasional burst of applause. The toll of a solitary bell added to the sombre atmosphere.
The coffin was carried out of the Curia by priests and placed on a low carriage.
Knights of Malta in their black habits bearing the Maltese cross led the procession. They were followed by altar boys and scores of Gozitan priests.
Immediately in front of the coffin were Bishop Grech and other bishops.
Behind the coffin were Mgr Cauci's relatives, close friends, President George Abela, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.
Also taking part in the funeral were the Chief Justice, ministers, MPs, heads of government departments in Gozo and representatives of constituted bodies in Gozo.
Boy scouts lined the steps leading to the Cathedral and saluted as the coffin was carried up, amid more applause.
Mgr Cauchi died early on Monday morning. He led the Diocese of Gozo for 38 years until 2006 and is fondly remembered by the people of Gozo as a father figure as well as spiritual leader.
He was taken ill three weeks ago and passed away at Mater Dei Hospital.
He will be buried in the Cathedral.