Mario Grech

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Stored: Mario Grech

His Eminence Mario Grech
Bishop of
Home diocese: Diocese of Gozo
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 26 May 1984 by Bishop Nikol Joseph Cauchi
Consecration: 22 January 2006 by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 28 November 2020 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Mario Grech
(1957-02-20) February 20, 1957 (age 68)
Qala, Gozo, Malta
Died:
Nationality: Maltese
Education: Pontifical Lateran University
Motto: In Fractione Panis
Role: Curial
Theology: Progressive
Region: Southern Europe
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Mario Grech, born (1957-02-20) February 20, 1957 (age 68), is a Maltese Catholic cardinal and Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops since 2020. A key figure in Pope Francis’ vision of synodality, he was Bishop of Gozo from 2005 to 2019 and has led the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024), extended to culminate in a 2028 Ecclesial Assembly. Elevated to cardinal in 2020, he promotes a participatory Church, advocating for dialogue on women’s roles, including the female diaconate, and inclusivity within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]

Born in Qala, Gozo, Grech transitioned from a conservative episcopal tenure to a progressive curial role, shaping global synodal processes. In 2025, following Pope Francis’ death, he entered the papal conclave as a noted contender, with some Vatican observers citing his synodal expertise and global network as strengths, though his progressive stances, including support for a female diaconate, have drawn criticism from traditionalists.[4][5][6]

Biography

Birth and early life

Mario Grech was born on (1957-02-20) February 20, 1957 (age 68) in Qala, Gozo, Malta, into a Catholic family.[1] Raised in Ta’ Kerċem, he was influenced by the Saint Francis Xavier, whose missionary zeal shaped his later synodal vision.[7] His early volunteer work with disabled persons sparked a priestly vocation, reflecting his commitment to service.[4]

Grech’s upbringing in Gozo’s tight-knit Catholic community fostered a pastoral approach, initially conservative but evolving toward inclusivity. His Maltese heritage, blending Italian and global influences, later bolstered his papal candidacy.[8]

Education

Grech studied philosophy and theology at the Gozo diocesan seminary, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1984.[1] He obtained a licentiate in civil and canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome in 1988 and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1992, focusing on marriage law.[2][7]

His legal training shaped his expertise in Church governance, evident in his synodal leadership. His studies in Rome exposed him to global Catholicism, preparing him for curial roles.[4][9]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 26 May 1984 by Bishop Nikol Joseph Cauchi for the Diocese of Gozo, Grech served in parishes, including the Cathedral of Gozo, Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, and Kerċem.[1][10] He taught canon law at the Gozo seminary and served as a judicial vicar, emphasizing pastoral care in marriage cases.[2]

His priesthood balanced legal expertise with pastoral outreach. As president of the Episcopal Conference of Malta (2013–2016), he participated in the 2014–2015 Synods on the Family, advocating inclusive language for LGBTQ+ Catholics, earning Pope Francis’ attention.[1][5]

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of Gozo on 26 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI, Grech was consecrated on 22 January 2006 by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca.[1][10] He served until 2019, initially taking conservative stances, such as opposing Malta’s 2011 divorce referendum, but later defending migrants and criticizing anti-immigrant rhetoric.[5] Named Pro-Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops on 2 October 2019, he became Secretary General on 15 September 2020, succeeding Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri.[1][11]

Elevated to cardinal on 28 November 2020, he received the deaconry of Santi Cosma e Damiano.[1] As Secretary General, Grech led the 2021–2024 Synod on Synodality, extended to 2028, and supported study groups on issues like the female diaconate, drawing both praise for inclusivity and criticism for progressive leanings.[6][3] In 2025, he entered the papal conclave as a “top five” contender, backed by some for his synodal vision but questioned for his curial experience.[8][12]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Gozo Bishop 26 November 2005 2 October 2019 Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI; resigned to join Vatican curia

Significant events

  • Studied at the Gozo diocesan seminary, earning a theology degree in 1984.[1]
  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Gozo by Bishop Nikol Joseph Cauchi on 26 May 1984.[1]
  • Appointed Bishop of Gozo by Pope Benedict XVI on 26 November 2005, consecrated on 22 January 2006.[1]
  • Opposed Malta’s divorce referendum in 2011, warning voters of accountability to Jesus.[5]
  • Served as president of the Episcopal Conference of Malta from 2013 to 2016.[9]
  • Participated in the 2014–2015 Synods on the Family, advocating inclusive language for LGBTQ+ Catholics.[5]
  • Named Pro-Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops by Pope Francis on 2 October 2019.[1]
  • Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Gozo until 2020.[1]
  • Named Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops on 15 September 2020.[11]
  • Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 November 2020, with the deaconry of Santi Cosma e Damiano.[1]
  • Named member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on 4 July 2020.[1]
  • Named member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura on 21 June 2021.[1]
  • Named member of the Dicastery for Bishops on 13 July 2022.[1]
  • Led the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024), extended to a 2028 Ecclesial Assembly.[3]
  • Entered the 2025 papal conclave as a noted contender, backed for his synodal vision.[4][8]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Mario Grech have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Mario Grech have been identified as of May 2025.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 "Mario Grech". 2025-04-27. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Grech. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "GRECH Card. Mario". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_grech.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Pope approves convocation of post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly in 2028". 2025-03-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-03/pope-approves-convocation-post-synodal-ecclesial-assembly-2028.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "This papal front-runner from a small island has a big role in the global church". 2025-05-02. https://www.ncronline.org/news/this-papal-front-runner-small-island-has-big-role-global-church. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Cardinal Mario Grech: The Maltese contender in the 2025 conclave". 2025-05-03. https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/05/cardinal-mario-grech-maltese-contender-2025-conclave. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Cardinal Grech’s Controversial Comments Add to Growing List of Concerns on Post-Synodal Study Groups". 2024-03-27. https://www.ncregister.com/news/cardinal-grech-controversial-comments-post-synodal-study-groups. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Cardinal Mario Grech". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/mario-grech. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Mario Grech a ‘top five’ contender to be next pope, Vatican insiders say". 2025-02-26. https://timesofmalta.com/article/mario-grech-top-five-contender-next-pope-vatican-insiders-say.1088111. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Bishop Mario Grech: An interview with the new secretary of the Synod of Bishops". 2020-10-23. https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/bishop-mario-grech-an-interview-with-the-new-secretary-of-the-synod-of-bishops/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Mario Cardinal Grech". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bgrech.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Bishop Semeraro appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints". 2020-10-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-10/bishop-semeraro-appointed-prefect-congregation-saints-causes.html. 
  12. ↑ "The rise of Cardinal Grech". 2022-10-07. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-rise-of-cardinal-grech. 
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