Young Gozitan priest ordained in Scotland

Fr Anthony Caruana of Xagħra was ordained priest at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh , on the feast of saints Peter and Paul.

Fr Caruana, the son of Gozitan painter Anthony Caruana, attended Victoria primary school and undertook his theological studies at the Gozo Seminary.

After his intermediary year, which he spent in the Edinburgh archdiocese, Fr Caruana continued his theological studies at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. He was ordained a deacon in April last year by Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow.

Fr Caruana's ordination was presided over by Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien.

Priests from the archdiocese of Edinburgh and St Andrews took part in the concelebrated Mass. Among the concelebrants were Xagħra archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo and former archpriest Eucharistico Sultana.

The following day, Fr Caruana celebrated his first solemn Mass, also at St Mary's Cathedral. Archdiocese Chancellor Mgr Robson delivered the homily. He spoke about the importance of the Catholic priesthood in today's world.

Relatives and friends were present on both occasions.

Fr Caruana will be working in the parish of Falkirk within the archdiocese of Edinburgh.

The last Maltese priest to be ordained in Scotland was Dom Maurus Caruana. He was ordained at Fort Augustus where a Benedictine Abbey stood on the shores of Loch Ness in March 1891. Dom Maurus was elected Bishop of Malta and titular Archbishop of Rhodes on January 22, 1915, succeeding Bishop Pietro Pace.

Fr Caruana will be celebrating his first solemn Mass at Marija Bambina Basilica, Xagħra, today at 9.30 a.m. He will be accompanied to the basilica by the Victory Band.