The nation lost a man “who had vision and gave vision” as former Gozo Bishop Nikol Cauchi was laid to rest at the Cathedral in Victoria, yesterday.
“The biggest monument to him would be to embrace even some of that vision – in favour of man, centred round Christ, with the help of the Church,” Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said in his last farewell during the funeral Mass that was concelebrated by over 180 priests.
Bishop Cauchi had a “big heart, hidden in a small man, which loved a lot, working hard and beating fast – probably so much so that it contributed to his death”, Mgr Grech said of the 81-year-old, who succumbed to cardiac problems early on Monday morning.
The hope was that he would “remain alive among us”, his successor said. “Help me to follow your example and vision in my pastoral mission,” he prayed. “Bless the nation so that it can open up its vision to horizons it never knew about.”
Visibly forlorn, Mgr Grech walked ahead of the coffin as it was wheeled by priests up to the Cathedral from the Curia in Victoria, where the Bishop Emeritus had been lying in state. He leant on his staff, a symbol of guidance for his flock, and the burden of his loss could be felt as he used it for support.
The long cortège included members of the clergy and was followed by President George Abela, who led the congregation, family and close friends, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, other politicians and dignitaries.
The total silence along the capital’s main road was broken only by the tolling of bells, and spontaneous outbursts of applause from bystanders as Mgr Cauchi’s coffin passed by and up the hill against the wind to the majestic citadel, where the Victoria Boy Scouts lined the stairs into the Cathedral.
Flags flew at half mast, prayers were chanted, tears rolled and cameras clicked as onlookers, including students, captured their last glimpse of the man who led the Gozo diocese for 38 years, before succumbing to respiratory problems.
Mgr Cauchi, Gozo’s seventh residential Bishop, died at Mater Dei Hospital, leaving under shock family and friends, who were banking on his recovery after he suffered from pneumonic and heart failure on October 27.
The funeral Mass yesterday afternoon started about 25 minutes later than scheduled, and the former Gozo Bishop was again greeted by applause as his coffin entered the packed Cathedral.
Sitting in the front row were the Bishop’s brothers, Prof. Maurice Cauchi and Fr Achilles Cauchi, his two sisters Tereżina and Ġemma, close friend The Sunday Times editor Steve Mallia, and two cousins.
Condolences from Pope Benedict XVI, sent in a letter from the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to Mgr Grech, were read out by Apostolic Nuncio Tommaso Caputo at the start of the concelebration.
The Pope had been informed of Mgr Cauchi’s condition and his blessings and prayers were conveyed to him when he emerged from a coma during his three weeks in hospital.
Mgr Cauchi had told the Apostolic Nuncio the day before the Pope left for Spain that he was offering his suffering for his pastoral visit.
The letter said the Pope prayed for the memory of the devoted Bishop to continue to inspire the community he served during his long episcopate – a hope that was echoed by Mgr Grech.
In his powerful homily, the Gozo Bishop highlighted man’s limited and poor vision, drawing comparisons with the depth of Mgr Cauchi’s, which, regretfully, may have been prevented from being expanded.
The vision of today’s society was closed to transcendence, he said, warning that “a future without vision is a blurred future”, whereas one open to God gave sense to life and was a real investment.
Today’s vision of the family was closed in egoism and that of the working world was led by the markets, he told the congregation. Society saw man as just another cog in the wheel.
But Mgr Cauchi’s vision was humanitarian, focused on man and everything that formed part of his life, including family and work, Mgr Grech said, adding that he may not have seen the fruit of his contribution to the development of social life in his country.
“Forgive us for not listening to you, not understanding, or not cooperating and not letting you be the shepherd,” he said.
The Mass, led by Mgr Grech, was also celebrated by Archbishop Paul Cremona, the Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca and Vicar General Annetto Depasquale. Mgr Alfred Xuereb, the Pope’s private secretary, also attended the funeral.
The angelic voices of the Gozo diocese’s youth choir filled the Cathedral; bidding prayers were read by members of the lay apostolate, who had worked with Mgr Cauchi; and the offertory was also carried by two Franciscan sisters, who had tended to him over the years at the seminary.
Mgr Cauchi was buried in the Chapel of St Ursula, to the right of the Cathedral’s altar, in a private interment.
He was widely respected as a preacher and communicator, and was known for his intellect and jovial character, traits that have been highlighted constantly since he fell ill.
Born in Għarb and ordained in 1952, he remained popular even after his retirement through his regular presence in the media.
Messages of tribute continued to arrive yesterday: the Gozo Tourism Association and the Malta Union of Professional Psychologists expressed their deep sympathy for the demise of the spiritual leader, who has also been described as a “father figure”.