The Gozo Diocese has announced the appointment, by Bishop Mgr Mario Grech, of two new Archpriests for the Victoria parishes and three Kappillans in the other parishes.

One of the new Archpriests takes over at the Cathedral in Victoria, a second takes over at St George's Basilica, also in Victoria. The three Kappillans have been appointed to the parishes of Fontana, Kercem and San Lawrenz.

Full details of the new appointments are as follows:

Gozo Cathedral

Mgr Guzeppi Attard, who was born in Nadur on the 7th of May 1946, is appointed as Archpriest. He attended Nadur primary school and later the Bishop's Seminary in Victoria. He was ordained as a priest on the 24th of June 1972. In September that same year he went to Santa Katerina di Siena in Rome and then to the Navity Church.

In 1985 he was transferred to serve as chaplin to Sant'Injazju di Antijokju with a population of about 10,000 where he spent his last 22 years. In 1997 he was given the title of Monsignor by the Diocese of Rome

St George's Basilica

Mgr Paul Cardona, who was born in Sannat on the 22nd of January 1953, is appointed Archpriest. He attended Sannat primary school and then the Bishop's Seminary in Victoria. He was ordained as a priest on the 18th of June 1977 and served at the Diocese of Tripoli.

He was a Chaplin at San Philip Nero from 1977 to 1989. Then on the 1st of April 1989 he became Chaplin at San Liberio in Rome.

Fontana

Rev Lino Vella, who was born on the 1st of June 1961 in San Lawrenz, is appointed Kappillan. He attended primary school at the Carmelite Sister's private school, then at Ninu Cremona Secondary school, followed by the Bishop's Seminary in Victoria. He was ordained as a priest on the 28th of June 1986.

Between 1986-1989 he continued his studies at the Salesian's University in Rome, where he also worked at at the parish of San Leone Magio. Recently he has been carrying out pastoral work amongst the young, particularly at the parish church of Kercem. He also teaches at the Bishops Seminary in Victoria.

Kercem

Rev Gwann Sultana, who was born in Xaghra on the 26th of May 1971, is appointed Kappillan. After he finished his studies at the Bishop's Seminary he was ordained as a priest on the 21st of June 1966.

He served at Sta the Lucia Parish Church in Rome. On returning to Gozo in 1998 he continued his pastoral work at the St Anton Abbati Church in Xaghra.

San Lawrenz

Rev. Nazju Borg, who was born on the 28th of August 1959, is appointed Kappillan. He attended Xaghra primary school then the Lyceum secondary school in Victoria, he later continued his studies at the Bishop's Seminary.

He was ordained as a priest on the 22nd of June 1985 and then furthered his studies at the Lateranense University in Rome, during this time he also served at the Navity Church. On his return to Gozo he served as Rector at the Nazzareno Church in Xaghra. On the 15th of February last year he was apponted as the Chaplin of Kercem.