Pope Francis has appointed the Father Anton Teuma as the new Bishop of Gozo.
The formal announcement was made today at the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary Gozo by Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Alessandro D’Errico to the loud applause of priests and parishioners gathered at the sanctuary.
The new Bishop takes over the post from Bishop Mario Grech, who was appointed by Pope Francis as General Pro-Secretary of the Synod of Bishops in October last year. Bishop Grech assumes the responsibilities of General Secretary once Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the actual General Secretary, concludes his mandate.
The Reverend Anton Teuma was born in Xaghra, in Gozo, on 11th of January 1964. After his secondary school studies at the diocesan minor seminary, he carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the major seminary of Gozo.
He was subsequently sent to Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate in science of education from the Pontifical Salesian University.
He was ordained a priest on 25th of June 1988 for the diocese of Gozo. In agreement with the bishop, he remained in Rome until 1997, exercising the following ministries: parish vicar in the parish of Sant’Ignazio di Antiochia (1988-1995); spiritual father at the Pontifical Roman Seminary (1995-1997); head and spiritual assistant of the Eucharistic Communities of the diocese of Rome (1996-1997).
Upon returning to his diocese, he served as rector of the major seminary of Gozo from 1997 to 2007. After a sabbatical year of study and prayer in the Holy Land, from 1998 to 2016 he was head and spiritual assistant of the Eucharistic Communities of the diocese of Gozo. He is currently episcopal delegate for the family and head of the John Paul II Family Institute in Gozo.
Aid to the Church in Need congratulates the Bishop-elect Mons. Anton Teuma, on his appointment and pray for the success of his episcopal ministry.
