Australian communities remember Maltese bishop

The Catholic church in Bendingo, Victoria – Australia, paid tribute to the late Maltese bishop Joseph Grech marking the first anniversary since his death.

29 December 2011, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

1 min read

Crowds filled the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendingo, Victoria to remember Bishop Joseph Grech

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There were three services at the Sacred Heart Cathedral and another at Numurkah to honour the late bishop yesterday.

The cathedral hosted a memorial mass yesterday morning before the Maltese community honoured Bishop Grech.

Sandhurst diocese priests met at Numurkah, where Bishop Grech travelled each year for his birthday.

The cathedral also hosted a night of reflection for people to share their memories of the man they called Bishop Joe.

Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office director Father Maurizio Pettena said Bishop Grech had long campaigned for the protection of vulnerable people.

"Even in his final lucid moments he was speaking about how we need to do more for migrant chaplains, particularly for overseas priests, those who live in remote places and are isolated," he said.

Father Pettena said the community still felt the late bishop's legacy.

Bishop Grech, 62, died suddenly from a blood disorder on December 28, 2010.

More than 4,000 people attended his funeral in Bendigo in January.

Australia's first pilgrim centre in Rome opened earlier this year and it featured a wing in Bishop Grech's honour.