Jun 05 - Bishop Zammit: More Priests For Diocese
Bishop Carmel Zammit has announced a reshuffle of responsibilities and made several appointments which will see more priests serving the Diocese of Gibraltar.
One significant change is the replacement of Mgr. Paul Bear as Parish Priest and administrator of the Cathedral parish. Mgr. Bear has now been assigned as Parish Priest at St Joseph’s. Also significant is the return to the Rock, after many years, of Mgr. John Pardo and Fr. Daniel Hernandez.
The news is contained in a circular letter from Bishop Zammit which was read at all Masses of the Feast of Pentecost celebrated over the weekend.
It reads: “Since my ordination as bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar, it has been my priority to listen to what people have to say, both lay persons and priests. Like all of you, I would like to find the manner to realise in a better way the mission that the Church is meant to fulfil in our Diocese, which is mainly that of teaching the word of God and being of spiritual service through the sacraments to the faithful.
“With this in mind, for the good of the community, priests and laity, I am introducing some changes and looking around to bring some more priests to work in our diocese.
“I acknowledge that it is not easy, neither to bring about change nor to accept change. But change is beneficial both to the individual concerned and to the community.”
The main changes, for the time being, are these:
Mgr. Paul Bear, Parish Priest and administrator of the Cathedral parish, is now being assigned as a Parish Priest at St Joseph’s parish.
Fr. Michael Bonifacio, Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Parish, will be assigned to the ministry of administering to the sick and the elderly.
Bishop Zammit said: “I want to show my appreciation to both Fr. Michael Bonifacio and Mgr. Paul Bear for the contribution they have given in their pastoral ministry to their respective parishes. I also take this occasion to thank all the priests working in Gibraltar for their dedication to their ministry.”
Fr. Mario Tong, a priest who has already been in Gibraltar to help out in this diocese, with the Archbishop of Malta’s consent, is to return to Gibraltar and assigned to the Cathedral Parish both as a Parish Priest and as the Cathedral Administrator.
Mgr. John Pardo, who has been away from Gibraltar for the last fourteen years working in the English College in Valladolid, first as Vice-rector and the last six as Rector, and Fr. Daniel Hernandez, both intend to return to the Rock. After a period of “transition adjustment” they will be taking up ministries assigned to them at a later stage. Mgr. John Pardo will be appointed my Vicar General and Fr. Daniel Hernandez will be assigned to St Bernard’s Church.
Bishop Zammit ended: “I pray and hope that these changes will be for the good of the Church in Gibraltar and all the individuals concerned.”
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