On November 26, 2005, the Gozo Curia issued a statement confirming the news that the Vatican had chosen Mgr. Mario Grech, Parish Priest of Kercem, as successor of Bishop Mgr. Nicholas J. Cauchi, who has led the diocese of Gozo since 1972. On that day a representative of the Apostolic Nuncio in Malta presented Mgr. Grech with a document confirming his appointment in the presence of outgoing Bishop Cauchi.

During the ceremony Mgr. Grech thanked God for his call and Pope Benedict XVl for the trust he had shown in him. He also thanked Bishop Cauchi for his service to the people of Gozo. Mgr. Mario Grech started his priestly formation at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Gozo in 1977 and was ordered as a priest in 1981.

He then continued his studies at the Lateran University, where he obtained the Licentiate ‘utroque iure’. He continued his studies at the Pontifical University of St Thomas obtaining a Doctorate in Canon Law . In Rome he was involved in pastoral work in the parish of Santa Maria.

When he returned to Gozo he performed his pastoral work at the Kercem Parish Church, his homeland, St Lawrence Parish, St. Mary’s Cathedral Church and Ta’ Pinu Basilica. His pastoral assignment during the last year was as a Parish Priest of Kercem.

In 1988 he became a lecturer of Canon Law in the Sacred Heart Seminary in Gozo. Since 1993 he was the Judical Vicar for the Ecclesiastical Tribunal in Gozo. He was also elevated to the office of a Judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal in Malta.

Mgr. Grech is a great contributor to the moral case law as well as strong participant in the process for the beatification of Madre Margherita Debrincat, co-foundress of the Franciscan Sisters in Victoria Gozo, and Mgr. Giuseppe De Piro, founder of the Missionary Society of St. Paul.

His consecration as a Bishop is going to be held St. Mary’s Cathedral Church Victoria Gozo, on Sunday morning January 22, 2006, and the pontifical ceremony is going to be concelebrated by three bishops.