Gozitans and Maltese alike yesterday paid their last respects to Bishop Nikol Cauchi, who passed away at the age of 81 last Monday. Bishop Nikol Cauchi was laid to rest in the Victoria Cathedral following a sombre ceremony in the presence of President George Abela, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.

The ultra-conservative bishop of the ultra-conservative island, where time stood still for centuries until it suddenly caught up to shock the system and traditions, will be remembered as a beacon by all those who knew him and saw him as a guiding light.

Good natured but strong in his principles, Bishop Cauchi will leave a kind of emptiness that is hard to fill on the sister island. Although some years ago he was replaced by the much-younger but perhaps more conventional Bishop Mario Grech, Mgr Cauchi’s influence on all that was and is Gozitan remained high.

His presence continued to be felt through his writings and public appearances, and he never moved away from the principles that were founded in him during his youth. Realising that the island he loved so much was changing abruptly because of the way it had opened up itself to outsiders – Maltese and foreign – he tried his best to rein in the faithful and keep them focused on the Church’s teachings.

It was not an easy task, but Bishop Cauchi firmly believed that this was the right way forward. The liberal forces called him old-fashioned, but he never wavered, and continued to fight his battle right till the very end.

Gozo is mourning its spiritual leader, the one who for many years was seen as a source of inspiration. The younger generations may not have looked up at him in the same way as the people closer to his age, but Bishop Cauchi will remain anchored in their minds as someone who always sought the common good and worked hard to achieve the best for his flock.

So many words of affection have poured in after his demise last Monday, but the best description of Bishop Cauchi was probably given by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono. In comments she gave to this newspaper, Mrs Debono described Bishop Cauchi as someone who had “impressive leadership skills” and also an “ability to find time for everything”, always having “the right balance in everything he did (while keeping) himself in touch with all that was happening within the diocese and beyond”.

“His sense of humour is an open secret and I think it was one of the characteristics that made him popular with people. It was easy for him to insert an anecdote or other in order to strengthen the message he wanted to deliver through his sermons,” she added.

This encapsulates all that Bishop Cauchi stood for is his long and fruitful life.

May he now rest in peace.