I have just heard of the sudden dead of Bishop Mgr. Annetto Depasquale whom all of us priests and many others knew as Dun Annett. Tearful skies saluted his passing away to the house of our Father in heaven.

Dun Annett was my lecturer of Canon Law during my University days. I was studying in the immediate years after Vatican II. There were wonderful years. The creativity of the Spirit was breathing new life in Church structures. Dun Annett's take on canon law was a witness of the signs of those times. His lectures were intellectually stimulating and pastorally very valid.

He was a good teacher of theology because he was a good priest; and he was a good priest because he was a good man.

He loved the Church and served the Church in many different ministries. He carried out pastoral duties at the Church Commission for Children's Homes, the Pastoral Research Services, besides assisting in the parish of St George in Qormi and the English speaking community in Malta. He left his teaching post at the University just after my ordination. My course were lucky enough to benefit from his wisdom and insights. Dun Annett then became Curia Chancellor, Pastoral Secretary, Vicar General and, later, Auxiliary Bishop.

He occupied many positions of authority. However, for him authority was only an exercise of service. Wherever he was, he served: generously, faithfully and lovingly.

I knew him as a perfect gentleman: gentle but firm as much as he was fair. He was both a man of principles as well as a lover of people. Principles were at the service of people.

He was a man of conviction not a man of convenience.

Good bye Dun Annett. Please pray for us.