[Gulf Goans] FAREWELL MESSAGE OF BISHOP FRANCIS MICALLEF

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 10:02:26 -0700

Bishop Francis Micallef retires after 24 years of humble service in the Lord's vineyard.


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.

St. Teresa's Church in Cospicua

Bishop's Postal Address:

St. Teresa's Monastery,
St. Teresa's Street,
Cospicua CSP 02
MALTA

Interior of St. Teresa's Church in Cospicua


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  i n   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 Gaspar Almeida & Ulysses Menezes
  & www.goa-world.com team members in Kuwait.
 
 www.goa-world.com
 
 


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