Fr Joe Bonello, OFM, was yesterday nominated by Pope Benedict XVI as coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Juticalpa, Olancho, Honduras. He has been a missionary in Central America since September 1989, serving in the Sana Ana de la Libertad parish in the diocese of Comayagua, where he eventually became parish priest.

Also serving in Olancho is Fr Albert Gauci, OFM, of Gharghur.

Fr Bonello was born in Xaghra and was ordained in 1985. He was provincial promoter of vocations and master of postulants after his ordination. In his missionary work he has three times been appointed counsellor for Central America of the Franciscan provincial foundation of the Immaculate Conception of New York and in 2009 was nominated vicar general of the diocese of Comayagua.

The Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, has congratulated Fr Bonello and the Maltese Franciscans for the nomination, and asked for prayers for him in his work. Mgr Grech also called for families to continue with their generosity to the missions.