Updated 12.30pm

Anton Teuma has been named the new Bishop of Gozo and will succeed Mgr Mario Grech as the ninth bishop of the diocese.

The 56-year-old Gozitan was ordained in 1988, and as well as his work for the Church, he is a licensed welder and electrician.

Apostolic Nuncio Alessandro D’Errico made the announcement at the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary at noon, just before the official decree was issued by the Holy See.

The first step of the transition of power took place when Grech symbolically donated his own cross to his successor - a gift he had received from his predecessor Nikol Cauchi. 

In his first-ever message, the bishop-elect said the sanctuary was the place where the faithful confided their grievances and sufferance to Our Lady.

Trekking the Dolomites.

“My wish is that the joy of this ordination will be relayed in everyday life. I have learnt a lot from laypersons. Let’s work together for God’s kingdom in Gozo,” he told the congregation.

In his announcement, the Nuncio referred to criticism that the announcement had taken long saying that these eight months were crucial for the Nunciature and Holy See to find a “happy solution to the best of our possibilities”.

He said in some cases, the process had taken up to two years. 

“There are complex procedures dictated by canonical code which cannot be expedited. We must take the right decision and this is what we did with Mgr Teuma,” the Nuncio remarked.

Who is Anton Teuma?

In a pastoral letter, the outgoing bishop said his successor epitomised the heart of the Gozitan diocese.

He described the bishop-elect as man who dedicates his life to God, and has a "big, warm heart full of love, especially for the vulnerable."

However, he warned of the challenges of the role. 

“There will be those who will throw stones at him but I am convinced the new bishop will not retaliate. You should give him ointment and not put vinegar in his wounds,” Mgr Grech said.

Teuma is from the Xagħra parish and he embarked on his service in the priesthood in Rome, serving in the parish of St Ignatius.

He returned to Gozo in 1997 and was appointed rector of the Seminary of the Heart of Jesus.

Between 1998 and 2016, he was responsible for Eucharistic Communities in Gozo. In 2008, he spent a sabbatical year in the Holy Land.

Nationalist MP Chris Said said on Facebook early on Wednesday Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary was prepared for the announcement.

Dr Said thanked Gozo Bishop Mario Grech for his work in the past years and wished him success in his new mission at the Vatican.

Last October, the Holy See announced that Bishop Grech had been appointed general pro-secretary of the Synod of Bishops.

Grech, 63, has served as bishop of Gozo since 2005 following the 33-year episcopate of Nikol Cauchi. He stayed on as apostolic administrator of Gozo until the appointment of his successor. 

The COVID-19 outbreak had delayed the transition, which was meant to happen around Easter.

Bishop George Bugeja, the 57-year-old apostolic vicar of Tripoli, was previously touted as the front runner for the post.

Malta's bishops congratulate bishop-elect

In a statement issued just after the announcement, Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Auxiliary bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi congratulated the bishop-elect.

They thanked Mgr Grech for his work in the Gozo diocese in the past 14 years.

They promised their prayers and those of the Church in Malta for Mgr Teuma and the Gozo diocese.

Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition leader Adrian Delia also congratulated the bishop-elect. The date of the new bishop's ordination has yet to be announced.