Mgr Victor Grech passes into eternal life

Monsignor Victor Grech has peacefully passed into eternal life. Through his lifelong work, he played a pivotal role in changing the way Maltese society views and confronts issues such as drug addiction, alcoholism, poverty and social injustice.

Mgr Grech passed away today, Wednesday, 5^th February 2025, at 9:58 am at Mater Dei Hospital, at the age of 95.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna, speaking for the Church in Malta, honoured Mgr Grech’s memory, describing him as “a priest and benefactor of the nation who dedicated his life to Caritas Malta and shaped its mission and vision for decades.”

Biography of Mgr Victor Grech

Mgr Victor Grech was born on 19^th October 1929 in Bormla and was ordained a priest on 17^th March 1956. He served as Vice Rector of the Seminary (1956-1962) and Rector of the Seminary (1962-1977), and he was also the National Director for Vocations.

During his time as Rector of the Seminary, Mgr Grech helped establish the Maltese Priests’ community in Brazil and worked closely with Mgr Dellaport to open the Seminary of Europe in Maastricht. For several years, he taught Homiletics at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta and delivered lectures on social topics to students at Mater Admirabilis Training College in Tal-Virtù.

In 1977, he was appointed Delegate of the Archbishop for the Social and Charitable Works Secretariat of the Church.

In 1985, he founded Caritas Malta, of which he was Director until 2014, and established the first therapeutic community in Malta for drug abusers. He worked tirelessly to promote educational programmes about drug awareness and prevention in state schools, private schools and Church schools. Mgr Victor Grech also founded a foundation for people with usury problems, a rehabilitation foundation and opened four residential centres and an outreach centre. He was a member of the Executive of Caritas Europa and served for several years on the Board of Caritas Internationalis.

In 2012, he was awarded the European Citizen’s Prize by the European Parliament for his long-standing work in the social field and for instilling the real meaning of the European spirit of solidarity and volunteerism both in Malta and Europe.

For 40 years, Mgr Grech presented and broadcasted programmes on the radio about issues related to youth and family.

In 2021, he received the Active Aging Award, and in 2023, he was recognised with the National Worker of the Year Award. Most recently, in December 2024, Mgr Grech was honoured with the National Special Prize for Voluntary Work.