Bishop Emeritus Mgr Paul Darmanin of the Order of the Franciscan Capuchins who died last week at the age of 82, will be laid to rest this week.

On Wednesday, 2 August 2023, at 7pm, Vespers of the Dead will be celebrated for the soul of the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Garissa in Kenya, who died on Tuesday, 25 July, the Archdiocese of Malta said.

This moment of prayer shall be presided over by Bishop Joseph Alessandro OFM Cap in Floriana at the Church of the Holy Cross known as ‘Tal-Kapuċċini’.

On Thursday, 3 August 2023, at 7:30pm, the body of Mgr Darmanin will be laid in the chapel of the Annunciation in Ħaż-Żabbar, after which, at 8:45am, a procession will proceed to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Grace where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 9:30am. During the same Mass, the last respects will also be paid to his sister, Mary Darmanin. 

Archbishop Charles Scicluna will preside over the Mass. Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, Archbishop Emeritus of Tiranna-Durres George Frendo OP, Bishop Emeritus of Garissa Joseph Alessandro OFM Cap, the Nuncio’s Secretary Mgr Dennis Kuruppassery, the community of Capuchin priests and other priests will concelebrate. 

The burial will take place in the crypt beneath the Holy Cross Church in Floriana.

Everyone is invited to join the Franciscan Order in prayer for the soul of Bishop Paul Darmanin OFM Cap.

Mgr Darmanin was the Bishop of the Diocese of Garissa in Kenya between 1984 and 2015, and eventually returned back home in Malta, where he lived in the convent of the Franciscan Capuchins in Floriana.

Bishop Darmanin, who was originally from Ħaż-Żabbar, was born on 6 November 1940.

He joined the Order and was ordained priest in 1966.

In February 1984, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Garissa in Kenya. He was consecrated Bishop by Archbishop Ġużeppi Mercieca in June that same year.

He offered his resignation to Pope Francis in 2015 after reaching the age of 75, as stipulated by canon law.

Source: www.newsbook.com.mt