Starting January 1st, 2024, the Diocese of Gozo permits Baptisms, Marriages, and Funerals in additional Chapels and Churches. The Curia announced that these ceremonies are now allowed in places previously restricted, specifically those where the Easter Tridus is celebrated. Additionally, the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception in Qala and the Chapel of Sant'Anna in San Lawrence, are also available for devotion purposes.
Only Roman Catholic sacramental celebrations are allowed in these 36 churches.
Certain Chapels have been stopped from accepting new bookings, allowing previously booked ceremonies to proceed, but no new bookings are accepted post-January 1, 2024.
The statement added that before the celebration of the Sacraments, including Baptism and Marriage, Christians should take care of making the necessary religious formation in one of the parishes of the Diocese of Gozo. This change marks another significant decision by Bishop Anton Teuma in his three-year tenure.
Approved Churches
A Comprehensive List of Churches and Chapels in which Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals can be celebrated according to the parish territory. They are written in Maltese for ease of transparency. If you want the English Name, please click on the link for more information where available. The main parish church is written first and marked in italics.
Il-Belt Victoria (Rabat)
Being the only city in Gozo, and having the largest population, a significant amount of churches and chapels can be found. Most of them are approved and listed below. The city also has two parishes, The Parish of Mary Ascended to Heaven (the Cathedral) or the Parish of St. George.
- Il-Katidral t'Għawdex iddedikat lill-Santa Marija Assunta
- Il-Bazilika ta' San Gorg
- Il-Kappella ta’ Dar Manresa (Patrijiet Ġiżwiti)
- Il-Kappella tal-Istitut tal-Familja San Ġwanni Pawlu II
- Il-Kappella tas-Seminarju Maġġuri tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù – only for members of the English Speaking Community
- Il-Knisja tas-Sorijiet Franġiskani tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù
- Il-Kappella tas-Sorijiet Salesjani
- Il-Knisja tal-Madonna ta’ Pompei (Sorijiet Dumnikani)
- Il-Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Grazzja (Patrijiet Franġiskani Kapuċċini)
- Il-Knisja tar-Ragħaj it-Tajjeb (Taċ-Ċawla)
- Il-Kappella ta’ San Ġużepp (Oratorju Don Bosco)
- Il-Knisja ta’ San Franġisk (Patrijiet Franġiskani Konventwali)
- Il-Knisja ta’ Santu Wistin (Patrijiet Agostinjani)
Fontana (Triq tal-Għajn)
The only church/chapel approved for functions in Fontana is the main parish church:
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali tal-Qalb Imqaddsa ta’ Ġesù
Għajnsielem
Three churches and chapels are approved for Weddings in Għajnsielem, with one having special conditions. These are:
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali tal-Madonna ta' Loreto
- Il-Knisja ta’ Sant’Antnin ta’ Padova (Patrijiet Franġiskani Minuri)
- Il-Kappella tal-Madonna ta’ Lourdes – Only for the Italian Speaking Community as this is where they weekly celebrate mass
Għarb
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali Żjara tal-Verġni Marija lil Santa Eliżabetta
- Is-Santwarju Nazzjonali tal-Madonna Ta’ Pinu
Għasri
Only the Parrochial Church is approved for celebration of Wedding and Baptism Mass in Għasri
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali ta’ Kristu Ewkaristiku Salvatur
Kerċem
A church and two beautiful chapels are approved for Weddings in Kercem
- Il-Knsija Parrokkjali tal-Madonna tas-Sokkors u San Girgor il-Kbir
- Il-Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu (ix-Xlendi)
- Il-Knisja ta’ Santa Luċija
Sannat
In Sannat, only the parochial church is approved for sacramental functions such as Weddings and Baptisms
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali ta' Santa Margerita
Munxar
Only the main parochial church is approved for Baptisms and Weddings in Munxar.
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali ta' San Pawl Nawfragu
Ix-Xlendi Chapel is available for Weddings and Baptism Functions - for the Gozo Diocese it falls under Kercem
Nadur
Two churches are approved in Nadur for Weddings and Communion
- Il-Bazilika ta' San Pietru u San Pawl
- Il-Knisja tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesù (Ta’ Karkanja)
Qala
Qala has two approved churches:
- Il-Knisja tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni u San Ġużepp
- Is-Santwarju tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni – b’eċċezzjoni
San Lawrenz
San Lawrenz has two approved churches:
- Il-Knisja Parrokjali ta' San Lawrenz
- Il-Kappella ta’ Sant’Anna (id-Dwejra) – b’eċċezzjoni
Xagħra
Gozo's most populated town has three approved churches
- Il-Bazilika tat-Twelid tal-Verġni Marija
- Il-Knisja ta’ Ġesù Nazzarenu
- Il-Knisja ta’ San Pawl Nawfragu (Marsalforn)
Xewkija
Only the beutiful Rotunda church is approved in Xewkija
- Il-Knisja Parrokjali ta’ San Ġwann Battista
Żebbuġ (Gozo)
Gozo's most northen village has only the parish church approved for use:
- Il-Knisja Parrokkjali ta' Marija Mtellgħa s-Sema
Marsalforn Chapel falls under Xagħra
How to book Wedding at these churches
You need to contact each parish office and set up an appointment with the archipriest of parish priest. In instances of sub-churches, you may need to contact the Rector of the Chapel/Church, however usually they need to contact the parish register. It is advisable that you do not leave it to the last minute to book now that certain chapels are no longer available, as this means that more people will be looking for a smaller amount of churches
List Last Updated: 3rd January 2024
Sources: Newsbook.com.mt & Gozo Diocese