Gibraltar is to have a Maltese bishop, with Pope Francis having appointed Gudja local Mgr Carmelo Zammit to the post. 

The 66-year-old Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Malta was announced as Gibraltar's next Bishop during a press conference at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned in Gibraltar. He will replace Bishop Ralph Heskett, who in 2014 was made Bishop of the Diocese of Hallam, Liverpool.

Mgr Zammit is to be Gibraltar's next bishop.

He will replace Bishop Ralph Heskett, who in 2014 was made Bishop of the Diocese of Hallam, Liverpool.

Mgr Zammit said it was a great honour to have been trusted by the Pope, and that he would do his utmost to serve the Church in his new capacity as Bishop of Gibraltar.

He is no stranger to Gibraltar, having spent more than 20 years in the Diocese's service between 1976 and 1998. He was appointed Judicial Vicar throughout his stay there, and also served as a Chaplain in the Boys' and Girls' comprehensive schools between 1976 and 1987. 

Throughout his stay in Gibraltar he served as the Bishop’s delegate on the Religious Education Board for Government Schools, and during his stay in Sacred Heart Parish he served as Prison Chaplain and as a member on the Prison Board.

Mgr Zammit studied at the University of Malta between 1967 and 1974, where he obtained a B.A. degree in Philosophy, Italian and Economics, and a Licentiate in Theology, and at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, between 1974 and 1976 where he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law.

Upon returning to Malta following his time in Gibraltar, he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Malta and a Judge in the Tribunal of Second Instance between 1999 and 2007. He was then appointed Assistant Judicial Vicar in the Metropolitan Tribunal of First Instance. He also serves in the Parish dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, Gudja.

In 1997 he was bestowed with the title of Prelate to His Holiness, whilst in 2005 he was appointed Canon of the Metropolitan Chapter. In 2010 he was elected President of the Metropolitan Chapter and since 2009 he is serving as a Council member of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna congratulated Mgr Zammit on his appointment.