Malta has new Archbishop

The Curia's main hall broke into loud applause at 11.50 a.m. yesterday as Fr Paul Cremona was introduced as Malta's new Archbishop, ending long months of speculation about Mgr Joseph Mercieca's successor.

Sixty-year-old Dominican Fr Cremona, who is currently parish priest of Jesus of Nazareth parish in Sliema, will succeed Archbishop Mercieca, who has steered the Maltese Church for 30 years.

"I believe I can build bridges and mend fences," the newly styled Mgr Cremona said smilingly when asked by The Sunday Times why he believes he landed the Church's top job in Malta.

The appointment by Pope Benedict XVI was announced by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Felix del Blanco Prieto, during a meeting of the Archdiocese's Presbyterial Council yesterday.

Mgr Cremona is the first member of a religious order to be appointed Archbishop of Malta in 90 years since the Benedictine Dom Maurus Caruana was appointed in 1915. No date has been set for the consecration and installation of the new Archbishop, though it is widely expected to take place in January or February.

Radiating charm and charisma, Mgr Cremona admitted that he has hardly slept since he was informed of the decision last Tuesday.

"I never dreamt of this appointment. It's a huge responsibility but all I can say is that I'm prepared to give the best of Fr Cremona," he told reporters during a news conference.

He expressed his relief that his name was never bandied about in the media in the last few months, even though he was aware that he was one of the favourites to take the hot seat at the Curia.

Bound by secrecy, he admitted that he had only informed the Dominican auxiliary bishop in Albania and long-time friend, Mgr George Frendo, and the Dominican Provincial of the news, but would not even relay the news to his elderly parents.

He said he felt at ease working within the community, as evidenced by some priests who spoke with The Sunday Times and who believe he is the right man for the job.

Asked what he feared most in his new role, Mgr Cremona instantly replied: "It's my responsibility towards God. We're not managers who have to rake in the money - but apart from selling, we have to answer to God to give an account of what we've done."

Mgr Cremona showed off his diplomatic skills and skirted uncomfortable and potentially controversial questions during a half-hour news conference.

Asked whether he intended to tackle headfirst some of the Church's immediate crises, such as declining Sunday Mass attendances, he replied: "A crisis may be ingrained with fear and you could therefore paralyse it. From this moment I hope the Church won't look at it this way. A crisis may however serve as a moment of reflection..."

Instead he spoke of hope and good news, and the need for the Church to reach out to the lost sheep using its values of solidarity, justice and honesty. The media, he said, were an essential tool in today's society but often concentrated on the negative things in the world.

The Presbyterial Council unanimously approved a resolution thanking Mgr Mercieca for his 30 years of service. With his continuous work and simple ways of doing things, Mgr Mercieca radiated optimism in the clergy and the community, the Apostolic Nuncio said.

The outgoing Archbishop, Mgr Mercieca, did not give any comments to the media.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and the Nationalist Party congratulated Mgr Cremona and paid tribute to Archbishop Mercieca.

Incidentally, the Office of the Prime Minister announced yesterday that Dr Gonzi is to have an official meeting with Pope Benedict at the Vatican next month.

Mgr Cremona - factbox

Born in Valletta January 25, 1946, educated at Montessori school and the Lyceum in Hamrun, joined the Dominican order in 1962.

Studied philosophy and theology at St Thomas of Aquinas Dominican convent, Rabat, and ordained in March 1969.

Obtained doctorate in moral theology from Rome in 1973, served as prior in Rabat 1974-1980, 1997-2003; served as parish priest in Guardamangia and Sliema.

Responsible for novices and Dominican students in Rabat; author of several books, including The Concept of Peace in Pope John XXIII (his doctoral thesis), L-Abort: Hajja jew Mewt? and Il-Knisja: Ikona tat-Trinità Qaddisa.