Tributes Pour in for a Champion of Love and Unity

Mgr Victor Grech, a pioneering anti-drug campaigner and humanitarian, has passed away on the age of 90 five. Widely called Dun Victor, he committed his lifestyles to counseling, charitable artwork, and advocacy in opposition to drug abuse. His effect prolonged some distance beyond his pastoral duties, touching the hearts of the Maltese kingdom via his many years-prolonged radio software program Fejn tmur il-qalb (Where the Heart Goes).

Grech exceeded away at nine:fifty 8 AM on Thursday at Mater Dei Hospital. In reputation of his lifelong provider, the Maltese state will installation his funeral, an honor generally reserved for former immoderate ministers and presidents.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Support

The Archdiocese of Malta highlighted Grech’s transformative impact on Maltese society, in particular in addressing addiction, poverty, and social justice.

As facts of his passing unfold, tributes poured in from leaders across the U. S .

• Bishop Charles Scicluna praised Grech as a priest and benefactor of our u . S . Who selflessly committed himself to Caritas Malta.
• Prime Minister Robert Abela referred to as him a “gentleman” who championed society’s maximum susceptible, which incorporates, My experience with him at Caritas taught me that everyone merits some other danger.
• Opposition leader Bernard Grech venerated him as a defense of affection and desire for the maximum susceptible.
• President Myriam Spiteri Debono encouraged the dominion to preserve spotting his paintings and legacy.
• European Parliament President Roberta Metsola defined him as an icon of love, crew spirit, and proposal to all Maltese and Gozitans.

Caritas Malta, the organization Grech helped installation, expressed its gratitude: Thank you, Dun Victor, for all the love you sowed in our hearts for people who are struggling and susceptible.

A Fierce Advocate Against Social Issues

Grech changed into a relentless campaigner in competition to poverty, crook exploitation, and the developing price-of-dwelling catastrophe. He finished a pivotal characteristic in shaping Caritas Malta into the maximum actual voice on those troubles.

He famously wrote: Every man or ladies has the consideration of the kid of God. No human life is destined to stop on a rubbish sell off or to be deprived of a awesome dwelling.

Fighting Against Drug Pushers

Grech have turn out to be instrumental in putting in place Caritas Malta in 1977, final at its helm for 37 years earlier than stepping down in 2014. Despite his retirement, he persevered offering counseling and guidance.

In a 2021 interview with Times of Malta, he recalled receiving loss of life threats from drug pushers who preferred him to prevent his public anti-drug campaigns. He refused to be silenced, putting forward, Today, we’re seeing kids as extra youthful as 11 and 12 beginning to take difficult tablets. That wasn’t the case within the Seventies.

A Builder of National Institutions

Grech’s passing marks the shortage of a generation of monks who constructed enduring countrywide institutions, which consist of:

• Dun (St.) George Preca – Founder of the MUSEUM Society
• Dun Mikiel Azzopardi – Founder of Dar tal-Providenza
• Mgr Charles Vella – Founder of the Cana Movement
• Mgr Philip Calleja – Founder of Dar l-Emigrant
• Mgr Joseph De Piro – Founder of the Missionary Society of St. Paul

Even in his eighties, Grech continued drawing massive audiences for his Lenten sermons. His requires motion in opposition to drug abuse and crime every now and then sparked political controversy, but his remedy never wavered.

Establishing a Rehabilitation Network

Determined to address the drug catastrophe, Grech traveled distant places to take a look at rehabilitation fashions in advance than installing Malta’s first expert counseling community. He then increased Caritas to embody recuperation residential rehabilitation centers, the maximum essential of that is located in San Blas.

Early Life and Dedication to Faith

Born in Cospicua in 1929, Grech have turn out to be ordained a priest in 1956. His calling began on the age of 7 while, at some stage in a children endeavor of “celebrating mass,” he through way of twist of fate set his house on fireside. His dad and mom narrowly averted disaster, but the 2nd foreshadowed his lifelong passion for faith and issuer.

His clerical adventure included serving as deputy rector (1956–1962) and later rector (1962–1977) of the Archbishop’s Seminary. In 1977, he have end up the Archbishop’s delegate for Social and Charity artwork, fundamental Caritas Malta until his retirement in 2014.

Throughout his profession, he championed drug and alcohol abuse prevention packages in faculties, attractive university students, mother and father, and the general public thru his radio publicizes.

A Life of Honors and Recognition

Towards the stop of his existence, Grech lamented the growing loss of compassion in Maltese society and voiced issues over environmental degradation.

His contributions had been identified with numerous awards:

• 1993 – Inducted into the National Order of Merit
• 2012 – Awarded the European Citizens’ Prize for his issuer to Maltese society
• 2021 – Honored with Ġieħ iż-Żejtun for his art work supporting young humans fight addiction
• 2021 – Received the Active Aging Award

His brother, Joe Grech, Malta’s first singer on the Eurovision Song Contest, handed away in December 2023 on the age of ninety.

Final Farewell

Mgr Victor Grech passing leaves a void in Maltese society, however his legacy of compassion, resilience, and issuer will maintain to inspire generations. His art work transformed infinite lives, and his impact is probably felt for future years.