Tonio Borg writes:

The homily delivered by Archbishop Charles Scicluna during the funeral of Mgr Silvestro Magro encapsulated the life and work of the deceased bishop.

Archbishop Scicluna described Bishop Magro’s life as an example of the Church but he also went on to say that he was a “martyr Bishop” for Mgr Magro,  obedient to his vows, served the Catholic community in war-torn Benghazi throughout the civil war.

I distinctly remember, as foreign minister in 2011, calling him and informing him that a vessel was about to leave the port of Benghazi, and urging him to board it and come back home, at least temporarily.

He flatly refused. He told me that his place was with his flock.

I visited him in July 2011 in Benghazi when the uprising had just started in the east but Gaddafi was still firmly in control in Tripoli.

Mgr Magro told me that the intervention of European forces had prevented Gaddafi’s tanks from entering Benghazi and massacring the civilian population.

I admired his courage and steadfastness. This timid but saintly figure, serving the community in Benghazi and beyond, most of the time lived and worked in a Christian oasis surrounded by hostile forces.

The church compound in a depressed area of Benghazi was a source of assistance to all who were vulnerable and sought refuge, relief or help. He left Libya only when things reached an intolerable level of violence owing to Isis infiltration and activity. I am informed that the church compound itself has been destroyed by Isis.

His well-earned retirement after years of service in Benghazi did not prevent him from remaining active among the Franciscan community of which he formed part. He was Franciscan to the core, in spirit, style and example. He remains a shining example of selfless service to others, irrespective of   opinion, colour or creed: a true ambassador of Malta  in North Africa and a worthy son of Mother Church.