Mons. Robert Camilleri OFM dies

On Tuesday 17 October 2023, Br. Roberto Camilleri OFM, Bishop of Comayagua in Honduras, died from a heart attack in his residence in Comayagua.

Patrick Camilleri was born in Ħamrun, Malta, on 24 April 1951, the son of John and Marianne Azzopardi. On 20 October 1967 he began his Novitiate in the Maltese OFM Province of St. Paul the Apostle, and was given the name Robert. He made his Temporary Profession on 1 November 1968 and his Solemn Profession on 8 December 1972. He studied Philosophy and Theology in the Franciscan Seminary in Rabat, Malta, and concluded his studies in the Franciscan International Seminary of Jerusalem, in the Holy Land Custody. On 29 June 1975 Br. Robert was ordained priest by Pope Saint Paul VI in Saint Peter’s Square, on the occasion of the Holy Year.

Back in Malta Br. Robert was sent to Saint Anthony Friary in Għajnsielem on the island of Gozo, as Master of Novices. He remained there until 1979, when he requested to go as a missionary in Central America, together with the Maltese brothers already working there. Br. Roberto, as he would call himself from that time onwards, was to spend all the rest of his life in Honduras. He worked as missionary and parish priest in Comayagua and from 1992 in Tegucigalpa.

On 26 July 2001 Br. Roberto was appointed by Pope Saint John Paul II as Auxiliary Bishop of Tegucigalpa and Titular Bishop of Vagada. He was consecrated on 15 August 2001. On 21 May 2004 he was appointed Bishop of Comayagua. On 7 June 2022 Bishop Roberto was also chosen as President of the Episcopal Conference of Honduras.

As Bishop of Comayagua, a diocese with 657.000 Catholics, Bishop Roberto was known for his pastoral zeal as well as for the particular care he dedicated to the formation of the seminarians.

The funeral of Bishop Roberto Camilleri will take place in Comayagua, where he will also be buried.

Bishop Roberto Camilleri was 72 years old. He was a Franciscan friar for 54 years, a priest for 48 years and a bishop for 22 years.

Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul rest in peace.
Amen.