Bishop Nikol Cauchi dies

The former Bishop of Gozo for 38 years until his retirement in 2006, was hospitaised  on October 27. His condition had improved for some time but it was always critical.

Bishop Mario Grech, who administered the last rites to his predecessor, described Bishop Cauchi  as a father figure for Gozo, and a teacher.

Born in Gharb in 1929, Nikol Cauchi was ordained priest in 1952. He became parish priest of Fontana in 1956 and also held the Chair of philosophy and sociology at the Gozo Seminary, where he also taught Italian.

He became auxiliary Bishop to Mgr Giuseppe Pace in 1967 and effectively took over the running of the diocese well before Mgr Pace passed away in 1972, and he formally took over.

Tributes pour in

In a message of condolences, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said that the Diocese of Gozo was grateful to Mgr Cauchi for having strengthened it in the faith.

The Labour Party in a statement praised Mgr Cauchi for his role as a “preacher and a leader” who had always spoken out on social and religious issues.

AD chairperson Michael Briguglio, described Bishop Cauchi as a “thinker and communicator,” adding that he would be remembered as a “key thinker and communicator of the Maltese Catholic Church who remained active in Maltese society till his passing away.”