‘I’m back home’ – Bishop-elect

Gibraltar’s Bishop-elect Monsignor Carmelo Zammit will be ordained as Bishop of Gibraltar on Thursday 8 September in Malta and installed at the end of the month on Saturday 24 September on the Rock. It was at midday yesterday when the bells rang out at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned signalling the appointment of a new Bishop.

The Bishop-Elect told the Chronicle he wanted to be a frontline Bishop and assured his episcopate would eventually bring about changes and called on the local clergy to work with him closely. He wanted to be the Chief Shepherd of all in Gibraltar and “the priests are my extension towards others”.

This, he emphasised, was top of his agenda and he wanted to make sure all the priests were “on his side”.

Almost immediately parishioners arrived with words of congratulations and a welcome home to this old friend who has been a friend of Gibraltar for more than 40 years.

The Bishop-elect could not hide his joy as he sat in the Bishop’s Parlour and spoke of how he had been humbled by the confidence and trust the Holy Father had shown in him.

“Here I am back to my home where I came to shortly after being ordained a Priest. I left Gibraltar after serving here for about 20 years, and after another 20 years which I spent in my original home, providence has brought me back to Gibraltar,” he smiled.

“God really moves in mysterious ways,” he said whilst recognising he had always felt at home in Gibraltar, the reason why he kept coming back to visit.

“I feel enthusiastic about my Mission here and about what the future may bring for our Church in Gibraltar,” he added.

“Most of the people will remember me I hope. I can honestly say that I always admired the Gibraltarians for their warm friendliness, kindness and positive attitude.”

FULL STORY IN OUR PRINT AND E-EDITIONS