On Wednesday 17 June 2020, Mgr Alessandro D’Errico, the Apostolic Nuncio for the Maltese Islands, presented to the faithful gathered in the Ta’ Pinu National Sanctuary – in the presence of outgoing Bishop Mario Grech – the new Bishop for Gozo, Rev. Anthony Teuma.
It was September 2019 when it was announced that Bishop Grech was being promoted as Secretary for the Synod of Bishops and will eventually transfer himself to Rome where he is expected to enter into his new role as of August 2020. In the meantime, the Holy See had opened the process that would eventually choose a new bishop for the island-diocese of Gozo.
Dun Anton Teuma is a familiar face all over the island; he supervised the Eucharistic communities that originated on the island over the last two or three decades; he was one of the priests who after returning from Rome, promoted the idea in various parishes with the aim of consolidating the family unit. He has also worked hard to promote the diocesan Institute of the Family which was established within the Ta’ Kana premises in Victoria. Hundreds of young couples have certainly come to know him during the past years due to his hard work and constant presence in this important pastoral field. His name has in fact become synonymous with the family unit in Gozo.
Dun Anton will be the ninth Bishop of Gozo; his ordination is expected to take place in September. After his ordination in 1988, Fr Teuma continued his studies at the Pontifical Salesian University. He was called back to Gozo by Bishop Nikol Ġ. Cauchi to take the place of Rector of the Diocesan Seminary, an office which he held for ten years from 1997 to 2007. Since then, he spent a sabbatical in Jerusalem from where he obtained an academic degree in Biblical Studies; while overseeing the Diocesan Institute of the Family, he has never put his books aside but continues to delve deep in other areas of research that are somehow related to his special fields of interest which vary from pedagogy to psychology.
As Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Teuma will also be the third Dean of St George’s Chapter. For several years, Fr Teuma presided the meetings for young couples in preparation for Christian Marriage at St George’s Parish which take place every fortnight during the pastoral year. He is therefore familiar with our parish community and many young families in our parish. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him and express our affection as he takes the helm of the Diocese of Gozo. May the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ta’ Pinu and St George aid him in this new mission in the service of the people of God on our beloved island of joy!
