In what can only be described as a memorable day for all of Gozo, and the Catholic Church in general, yesterday saw great rejoicing as Bishop Mario Grech became the eighth bishop of the Gozo diocese in an emotional ceremony that was presided over by Bishop Nikol Cauchi.

Crowds began to gather in the early hours of the morning and by around 8am, Republic Street in Victoria was absolutely packed with hundreds of well-wishers, eager for the first glimpse of their new Bishop.

Bishop Grech appeared in an open top car at about 9.15am, with his trademark smile on his face, looking calm and collected but, at the same time, determined at what must be a momentous mission ahead.

He was immediately greeted with thunderous applause by everyone present, with shouts of Viva l-isqof taghna (Hail our bishop) being clearly heard from the crowd.

The procession was accompanied by the police band as a sign of respect due to the fact that Bishop Grech’s father, George, is an ex-policeman.

Bishop Grech then proceeded by motorcade to It-Tokk Square where he walked the last leg of his journey to the Cathedral accompanied by a huge crowd but with his assistant, Fr Eddie Zammit, and his immediate family and close friends, nearby.

Momentous scenes were then witnessed as the Bishop began ascending the steps to the imposing cathedral, always accompanied by applause as he constantly waved and blessed the crowd.

Once Bishop Grech had retired to the sacristy to prepare for the Mass, the solemn inaugural procession began, with well over a hundred priests from Gozo, and a few from Malta, making their way towards the altar. Several dignitaries had already taken their places in the cathedral, including President Edward Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant.

Solemn Mass was celebrated by Bishop Nikol Cauchi accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Blanco de Petro, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and Bishop Annetto Depasquale.

The music chosen for the occasion was San Antonio, composed by Nazzareno Refalo, with hymns composed by Mgr Marco Frisina, translated into Maltese by Archdeacon Carmelo Refalo.

The orchestra and choir were under the direction of Bishop Grech’s brother, Mro Carmel Grech, who is Maestro di Cappella in his native village of Kercem.

The Gospel reading was based on the Bishop’s motto, In Fractione Panis (at the breaking of the bread), and recounted the famous episode at Emmaus when the risen Christ revealed himself to the apostles.

In his homily, Bishop Cauchi said that the cathedral was witnessing its third episcopal confirmation after Bishop Joseph Pace in 1944 and he himself in 1967, and this was indeed a glorious moment for the church.

He said that bishops are the branches through which the church’s teachings are manifested and such an episcopal confirmation is truly the apex of our faith.

Bishop Cauchi explained that a diocesan bishop has a great many responsibilities and is the focal point of the local church. He said that the clergy should be faithful to Mgr Grech, and his flock should also pray for the new bishop – apart from being obedient – and offer cooperation when required.

The confirmation ceremony was the high point of the occasion, with Bishop Grech receiving the three symbolic trappings of his role: the mitre, the ring and the sceptre. He was also anointed with oil by Bishop Cauchi, who also posed a number of questions to him on his acceptance of the role and position of Bishop for the Diocese of Gozo.

As soon as Bishop Grech was fully attired in the splendour of his regalia, he turned to the congregation to acknowledge their praise, with the cathedral erupting in applause – truly a moment of high emotion.

Before reciting the Creed of Faith, Bishop Grech paused for a moment and reflected on the significance that his first prayer as a bishop was a statement of faith. After this slight pause, he launched into the text with a remarkable intensity that was continued throughout the rest of the Mass.

Bishop Grech also came down into the body of the church at least twice to thank the dignitaries, including President Fenech Adami, and also spoke briefly to his 92-year-old grandmother and his parents, George and Stella.

During the singing of the Te Deum that followed Holy Communion, Bishop Grech descended from his throne to bless the congregation. After the Mass was concluded, he was presented with a huge cake on the steps of the citadel that commemorated his Episcopal confirmation.

Today, Bishop Grech will pay a visit to Gozo General Hospital, and on Wednesday he will visit elderly residents at homes across Gozo. On Thursday he will preside over a Family Feast at the Gozo Sports Complex.

Bishop’s biography

Bishop Mario Grech was born and baptised in Qala on 20 February 1957. While still young, he and his parents George and Stella moved to the village of Kercem. After completing his studies at Gozo Secondary School, in 1977 he began the study of Philosophy and Theology at the Gozo Seminary in Victoria. He was ordained priest on 26 May 1984 by Bishop Nikol Cauchi.

After his ordination, he was sent to Rome where he received a Doctorate in Canon Law from the University of St Thomas Aquinas. Apart from pastoral work at the Parish of Our lady of the Ascension in Rome, Bishop Grech also worked at the Vicar General’s Office and at the Sacra Ruota.

On his return to Gozo he worked in various positions at the Bishop’s Curia and was also Judicial Vicar at the Gozitan Ecclesiastical Tribunal. He was actively involved in the

beatification process of Madre Margherita Debrincat and Mgr Joseph Depiro.

Bishop Grech also played an important role in the creation of RTK Radio and the Lumen Christi media centre in Gozo. In 2004, he was appointed to the position of parish priest of Kercem.

On 26 November, Pope Benedict XVI nominated Mgr Grech as the eighth bishop of the Gozo diocese.