• Fr Mark Cachia SJ has been appointed as the new chaplain of the University of Malta. Fr Cachia, 35, succeeds fellow Jesuit Fr Michael Bugeja SJ, who had served in the role for the past nine years.

    Fr Cachia will lead the Chaplaincy team based at St Thomas More chapel on the University’s Msida campus. The team includes two full-time pastoral assistants – Christian Mintoff and Sara Zingariello – and Martina Laferla, who coordinates the Degree Plus voluntary work programme at University. As from September the team will be joined by a Jesuit student, Br Manuel Manuzzi SJ, for the next two years.

    Fr Cachia said the Chaplaincy team will continue to integrate the three dimensions of Christian life – community, spirituality and service – in all its activities among University students, and the Chaplaincy continue serving as a place where young people can meet up and hang out in a welcoming, informal, meaningful and dy­namic atmosphere among peers.

    During April the Chaplaincy team is also planning a ‘social week’ that will bring people together around a social theme to highlight the intrinsic link between the Christian faith and responsible citizenship.

    Fr Cachia completed his studies in moral theology in Madrid and was previously assigned to JRS Malta where he was responsible for communications and pastoral work with migrants.