Appointment of Coadjutor of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tripoli

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On 10 July 2015 the Holy Father appointed Rev. Fr. George Bugeja, O.F.M., Guardian of the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua, in Gozo, Malta, former official of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples as Coadjutor of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tripoli (Libya). He was assigned the titular see of San Leone.
Rev. Fr. George Bugeja, O.F.M., was born on 1 July 1962 in Xaghra, in the Diocese of Gozo. He entered the Novitiate on October 2, 1977, with the Franciscan Friars Minor of the Province of Malta. He professed his first vows on October 2, 1978 and Solemn Profession on August 28, 1983. He was ordained a priest on July 5, 1986. He studied philosophy and theology at the Istitutum Nationale Studiorum Ecclesiasticorum Religiosorum Melitensium (INSERM). He earned a Diploma in Journalism at the University of Malta and took a course of Spiritual Direction.
He has served the following roles: 1986-2004: Pastoral activities in the Diocese of Gozo; Guardian of the Community of Hamrun, Rabat, Gozo and Sliema; since 2004-2008: Pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Sliema; 2008-2010: Auditor of the Ecclesiastical Court; 2010-2015: Official of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; since March 2015: Guardian of the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghajnsielem, Gozo.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Tripoli, built in 1937, has an area of 1,000,000 square kilometers and a population of 6,204,000 inhabitants, of whom 50,000 are Catholics. At the moment there is only one parish. Pastoral work is carried out by 4 Religious men and 8 nuns. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/07/2015).

The new Bishop will be consecrated on the 4th of September at Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo, Malta.  He will be consecrated by Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo, Archbishop Roberto Cassari, Apostolic Nuncio to Malta and Libya and Bishop Joe Bonello OFM of Juticalpa, Honduras.