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HIS LORDSHIP BISHOP FRANCIS MICALLEF, OCD retires
after 24 years of humble service in the Lord's
vineyard.
The Catholics in Kuwait thank God for the gift of
Bishop Francis Micallef and for his 24 years of
service to the Church in Kuwait as Bishop. In the past
recent weeks, the faithful had the opportunity to
express their love and gratitude to His Lordship and
to pray with him and for him as he prepares to depart
Kuwait for good.
A native of Malta, Bishop Francis was ordained a
Priest of the Discalced Carmelite Order on May 9,
1954. He served in various capacities as the
Conventual, Prior (Superior) of the Monastery in
Malta, as Master of Novices and finally as the
Provincial Superior of the Maltese Discalced Carmelite
Province. In 1973, he was elected one of the Four
Definitors General of the Order. From 1979-81, he was
Rector at the Carmelite International College
(TERESIANUM) in Rome. Being a man of tremendous talent
and wisdom, he was given the responsibility to look
after the Carmelite missions world over.
He was ordained as Bishop for Kuwait by Pope John Paul
II on January 6, 1982. He came here shortly thereafter
and was formally installed as Kuwait's third Vicar
Apostolic on January 15, 1982.
Bishop Francis retired on July 14, 2005, having
reached the age of retirement.
On Saturday, October 29, 2005, he will return to
Malta, where he will reside at the St. Teresa's
Monastery, a Religious Community of Carmelite Friars.
A soft-spoken and unassuming man, the much loved
Bishop has won the hearts of all his faithful who will
miss his familiar presence deeply.
Bishop's Postal Address:
St. Teresa's Monastery,
St. Teresa's Street, Cospicua CSP 02, MALTA
FAREWELL MESSAGE OF BISHOP FRANCIS MICALLEF
==========
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am leaving Kuwait for good after almost 24 years
of pastoral service as Bishop. I thank God for the
many graces and blessings He showered on me
personally, on the Vicariate Clergy, Religious
Sisters and Priests, on the Catholic faithful and on
the State of Kuwait.
I want to thank in a special way my clergy who have so
generously ministered and continue to minister to the
spiritual and social needs of our Catholic
faithful. During these 24 years of my presence in
Kuwait I have witnessed the development and
progress of Kuwait in all sectors of Kuwait, the
growth of the Ecclesial Community a n d the many
initiatives started and sustained b y the
different language, cultural a n d ritual
congregations of our faithful.
When I was installed as the new Vicar Apostolic
of Kuwait on January 1982, in my interview with the
Press, I have said that Kuwait was to be my second
home. I remained true to what I had promised then.
Yes, I feel that Kuwait had become my second home.
This explains why I will miss very much the people
I had been placed and honoured to serve in the Lord.
But that is part of the life of a Bishop. I am
looking forward to joining one of the Religious
Communities of Carmelite Friars in Malta being myself
a
Carmelite.
Needless to mention, I will carry with me in my
heart and in my mind the cherished fond memories of
the people, and of the events I have served and have
witnessed during my years in Kuwait.
I remain united in prayers especially with all of
you who also endeared me so much and who have been
such an incentive to dedicate myself generously to
work in this portion of the Lord's
vineyard till the eleventh hour. May He be honored
and glorified forever!
I entrust you to the motherly care, love and
protection of our Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of
Arabia. God bless you all.
I miss you!!!
Your Bishop Emeritus,
Francis Micallef OCD
October 25, 2005
=======
For Bishop Micallef's Postal Address go to:
www.catholic-church.org/kuwait
Bishop's E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com.
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