Founding Director of Caritas Malta, Monsignor Victor Grech, will be laid to rest this Saturday, 8th February and a state funeral is being organised to honour a lifetime of service in social work and humanitarian service.
It will be celebrated at 10:30 am in St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna. A sign of respect for his extraordinary contribution to society, the funeral was offered by the Maltese government and was accepted by the family of Monsignor Grech.
In view of this, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings this coming Saturday. Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana will instruct all public service officers to pay respect on this day of tribute formally.
A Life of Service and Compassion
Msgr Grech was born in Bormla on 19th October, 1929, and ordained priest on 17th March, 1956. His early ecclesiastical charges included Vice-Rector (1956-1962) and Rector of the Seminary (1962-1977), as well as National Director for Vocations.
As Rector he played a major role in the establishment of the Maltese Priests’ Community in Brazil, and in the establishment of the Seminary of Europe in Maastricht. For a number of years he was also lecturer in Homiletics at the University of Malta’s Faculty of Theology and gave social education to students at Mater Admirabilis Training College.
In 1977, Monsignor Grech was nominated Archbishop’s Delegate for Social and Charitable Work within the Church. His most famous undertaking was perhaps when, in 1985, he set up Caritas Malta, which he directed till 2014. He introduced to Malta its first therapeutic community for drug rehabilitation and started the Substance Abuse Prevention programs in State, Private and Church schools.
Monsignor Grech founded a foundation that helped people with debt problems, a residential rehabilitation foundation, four residential centres, and an outreach facility for the vulnerable. He also served on the executive board of Caritas Europa and on the board of Caritas Internationalis, taking his leadership well beyond Malta.
Recognition for a Lifetime of Humanitarian Work
During his lifetime, Monsignor Grech received several prestigious awards. In 2012, he was awarded the European Citizen’s Prize by the European Parliament for his work in the field of social justice and solidarity. Over a period of more than four decades, he used radio broadcasting as a medium to address various issues concerning youth and families.
In recent years, his works continued to be recognised:
• 2021 – Active Ageing Award
• 2023 – National Worker of the Year Award
• December 2024 – National Special Award for Voluntary Work
Tributes from National Leaders
President Myriam Spiteri Debono described Monsignor Grech as a tireless campaigner for those affected by addiction, poverty, and social injustice.
Prime Minister Robert Abela hailed him as a pillar of social work in Malta, underlining his unwavering support for the most vulnerable in society.
Opposition Leader Bernard Grech also paid his respects to the loss of a pioneer in the fight against substance abuse and social marginalisation, highlighting that his legacy lives on in every life he touched and every family he helped rebuild.
Malta bids farewell to a man whose selfless service and humanitarian vision reshaped the nation’s approach to social care, rehabilitation, and charity.
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