Mgr Daniel Xerri has been appointed archpriest of Xewkija’s St John the Baptist parish church.

So far in the parish church history, nine parish priests and six archpriests served.

Mgr Xerri replaced Mgr Carmelo Mercieca. Mgr Mercieca had been nominated for the role on 18 January 1972.

Mgr Xerri was born on 21 August, 1969 and received his primary education at the Xaghra primary school and his secondary education at the Sacred Heart of Jesus seminary in Victoria.

He was appointed priest on 24 June, 1994. He furthered his studies in Rome.

In 2007, he was appointed rector of the Sacred Heart of Jesus seminary.

The new parish church was built on the site where the old parish church once stood. It is entirely built out of Maltese stone.