Francis George Adeodatus Micallef
Francis George Adeodatus Micallef (17 December 1928 – 3 January 2018) was a Maltese prelate who for twenty-three years served as the Apostolic Vicar of Kuwait.
His Excellency Francis George Adeodatus Micallef O.C.D. | |
|---|---|
| Apostolic Vicar Emeritus of Kuwait | |
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| See | Kuwait |
| Appointed | 5 November 1981 |
| In office | 1981–2005 |
| Predecessor | Victor León Esteban San Miguel y Erce |
| Successor | Camillo Ballin |
| Other posts | Apostolicus Vicariatus Arabiae Septentrionalis |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 9 May 1954 |
| Consecration | 6 January 1982 by John Paul II |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Francis George Micallef |
| Born | 17 December 1928 Birkirkara, Malta |
| Died | 3 January 2018 (aged 89) Birkirkara, Malta |
| Nationality | Maltese |
| Motto | Magnus Deus Noster |
Biography
Micallef was born in Birkirkara on 17 December 1928 to George and Marianna Micallef. In 1947, he joined the order of Discalced Carmelites, and in 1951, he took his final vows and was professed as a member of the order. On 9 May 1954, Micallef was ordained priest.[1]
After finishing his studies in Rome, he returned to Malta, where he taught moral theology. Once in Malta, he served as the Superior of the Monastery, Master of Novices, and finally as the Provincial Superior of Maltese Discalced Carmelite Province. From 1979-81, he was rector of the Carmelite International College in Rome.[2]
On 5 November 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Micallef as the third Apostolic Vicar of Kuwait. He was consecrated by the Pope himself on the feast of the Epiphany 1982. On 15 January of the same year, he was officially installed as the Apostolic Vicar of Kuwait and Titular Bishop of Tinis in Proconsulari. Micallef remained in Kuwait City during the 1990 Iraqi invasion, one of the few Westerners to do so.
Last years and death
Bishop Micallef retired on 14 July 2005 and was succeeded by Bishop Camillo Ballin. On 20 October, Bishop Micallef bade farewell to the Vicariate at a special ceremony in the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Kuwait City.[3] Bishop Micallef died on 3 January 2018 in his native Malta.
References
- "Bishop Francis George Adeodatus Micallef, O.C.D.", Catholic Hierarchy; retrieved 20 March 2014.
- "H.L. Bishop Francis Adeodatus Micallef, OCD, Third Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait", The apostolic Vicarate of Northern Arabia; retrieved 20 March 2014.
- Plunkett, John."Bishop Francis Micallef Bids farewell to Kuwait" Archived 20 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine, The Malta Independent, 30 October 2005; retrieved 20 March 2014.