On the occasion of Republic Day in Malta (13th December), His Grace Mons. Sylvester C. Magro OFM, Titular Bishop of Salde and Apostolic Vicar of Benghasi, Libya, was awarded the National Order of Merit by His Excellency George Abela, President of the Republic. This award comes in recognition of the fact that Mons. Magro, together with the Franciscans working in the Benghasi Vicariate and the different Congregations of Nuns, remained in Libya throughout the violent conflict that ended 42 years of the Gheddafi dictatorship.

Mons. Magro, a Friar of the Maltese Franciscan Province, was consecrated Bishop on the 11th May 1997. On May 27th he was solemnly installed as Apostolic Vicar of Benghasi.