Tomorrow, 16th September, marks the 150th anniversary from the launch of the diocese in Gozo, launched by the blessing of Pope Pius IX.  For several years, the Gozitan longed to have their own dioceses, bishop, cardinals and seminary. 

The first request for an independent Gozitan diocese was put forward in 1978, by Fr Saver Cassar, who served as parish priest of Rabat, Gozo, at the time. Following a 66-year battle, Dun Pietru Pace and Sir Adrian Dingli managed to produce results.

The launch of the diocese, which also included Comino, was officially announced on September 22 1864. Mons Mikiel Frangisk Buttigieg was chosen to serve as the first archbishop.

Tomorrow, bishop Mario Grech will lead a mass at the Cathedral in Victoria, Gozo at 7pm. All parish churches around Gozo will provide time for adoration, which will end at 6pm, prior to the mass.

Alongside Mons Grech, Mons Aldo Cavalli, Archbishop Pawlu Cremona, and Fr George Antonysamy, archbishop in India, will lead mass.

The papal document, which initially authorised the launch of the diocese, will be exposed in the cathedral. The mass will be streamed live on TVM2, and radio stations Radiu Maria and Radju Malta.

In addition, the postal office in Victoria will launch a stamp celebrating the anniversary. The National Statistics Office will publish a related statistics publication entitled Diocese of Gozo 1864-2014.