Fr Gwann Frendo dies in Albania

Fr Gwann Frendo OP, who was working at the Dominican mission in Durres, Albania, died yesterday. He was 65.

The Dominican Province said Fr Frendo died suddenly while working with Dominican novices at the library of the Dominican Home at about 11 a.m.

Born in Cospicua, Fr Frendo joined the Dominican Order in 1954 and was ordained in 1961. He was among those who had helped reform the liturgy in Maltese churches following the second Vatican Council.

Fr Frendo had been working in the Dominican mission in Albania for the last six years, first in Suhkt and later in Durres. He had also helped in the reform of the liturgy in the Albanian diocese and published two books of homilies in Albanian.

Fr Frendo served as parish priest at the Jesus of Nazareth parish in Sliema and the Fatima parish in Guardamangia.

Among those who paid tribute to Fr Frendo yesterday were the Archbishop of Durres and Tirana, Mgr Rok Mirdita, who also conveyed his condolences to Fr Frendo's brother, Fr Gorg Frendo OP, and the Dominican community in Malta and Albania.

The Dominican province said his body would be brought to Malta in the coming days. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.