Ibraġ has a new parish priest. During a very glorious thought-provoking and enlightening “Pussess” ceremony, Archbishop Scicluna gave the keys of the parish to Reverend Father Mario Tong.

In the official citation, those present were literally awestruck by the pastoral, spiritual and leadership track record of Fr Tong.

This is the sixth time that he has been appointed leader of a parish. He has served his flocks in at least four parishes in Malta, one in Gibraltar, and also in New York.

Archbishop Scicluna, who knows him best, sang his praises. We have it from the horse’s mouth that our new parish priest is a persevering hard working spiritual leader with a vision, one with a clear agenda. He is the type of leader who does not give up easily. We now also know that Fr Tong has accepted to be our parish priest on the condition that the Diocese of Malta provides him with help. He did not hesitate to remind the Archbishop of his promise to send more priest to Ibrag.

I was happy to hear our Archbishop declaring that he loves our parish and our parishioner as they are. Yes we are a parish with hardly any popular traditions of external manifestation of faith. We are a parish of sound faith. Fr Mario will be the perfect leader to continue the good work of the previous parish priests.

Our mayor, Noel Muscat, declared publically that our council will be collaborating unconditionally whenever he needs us, and we look forward to being called to serve. I wish him great success and appeal to him to exercise his patience and understanding when we fail him in any way.

Our thanks to Father Tony Agius who served as parish priest of our community for a record number of years.

Ad multos annos to both.

 

Paul Fenech

Swieqi Local Councillor