Dear brothers and sisters, Since my ordination as Bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar, I have been doing my best to listen to what people have to say, both lay persons and priests. During the seven months that I have been here, I have been reflecting on how to realise in a better way the mission that the Church is meant to fulfil in the Diocese, which is mainly that of teaching the word of God and being of spiritual service through the sacraments to the faithful.

In order to achieve this, I feel that certain changes have to be introduced which will be happening hopefully over a period of time. Such changes are necessary in my estimation for the good of the community and of the priests themselves. I also realise that I need the presence of more priests in the Diocese.

In accordance with the law of the Church, when a priest is given a particular office or ministry this is given for an indefinite period of time, though obviously, not for life. It is the bishop who decides when a priest may b...