On Thursday 20 October, Bishop Francis Micallef bid farewell to his Kuwait diocese at a special ceremony in the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait City.

“I am leaving Kuwait for good after almost 24 years of pastoral service as bishop,” he said in a speech.

“When I was installed as the new Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait on January 1982, in my interview with the press, I said that Kuwait would be my second home. I remained true to what I had promised then. Yes, I feel that Kuwait had become my second home. This explains why I will miss very much the people I had been honoured to serve in the Lord. But that is part of the life of a bishop.

“I am looking forward to joining one of the religious communities of Carmelite Friars in Malta being myself a Carmelite.”

Bishop Micallef remained in Kuwait City during the Iraqi invasion, one of the few Westerners to do so.

“During these 24 years of my presence in Kuwait I have witnessed the development and progress of Kuwait in all sectors, the growth of the Ecclesial Community and the many initiatives started and sustained by the different language, cultural and ritual congregations of our faithful,” he said.

On behalf of the parishioners, Jessie D’Cruz gave the vote of thanks. She commended the bishop for shepherding his flock over the last 24 years in Kuwait.