The new archbishop's mitre, not yet fitted for size, swayed somewhat in the political wind, through none of his doing. The appointment of the hugely respected Dominican, Fr Paul Cremona, was leaked by the political media. The PN daily used it to reduce the significance of a court judgment which essentially confirmed that the ministerial career of John Dalli had ended because of a frame-up.
Strong rumour has it that the selection of the archbishop was to be announced a fortnight ago. Church quarters got to know that the political media were to break the news before the formal announcement. Anxious not to let it be linked to any political site, they kept the appointment in wraps.
That turned out to be a blessing for the PN. Its media still revealed the identity of the new archbishop a day before it was formally announced, possibly even before Fr Cremona had told his own parents. The Nationalist daily went to town on its front page, counter-pointing its blatant spin regarding Mr Dalli. The ex-Finance and Foreign Minister effectively claims he did not leave the Cabinet, as was claimed at the time. He was made to walk the plank, by the Prime Minister, following machinations within their own party.
Mr Dalli does expect an apology. He wants justice, and retribution. The Prime Minister practises scenario-building (such as what he would do should he lose the general election - Illum, November 26). He had anticipated the post-court judgment scenario, and readied for it. A spokesman for the PM as much as told The Times (December 2) that Mr Dalli was barking up the wrong tree (he was not shoved because of the false Mater Dei report). He would be left to continue to shoot the wind (he will not be asked to return to the Cabinet, or other high office).
Mr Dalli has promised a media conference, should it become necessary by and by - meaning, if he continues to be left out in the cold, though the courts have vindicated him on the Mater Dei affair. That is a time-bomb yet to explode. Meanwhile, PN bomb disposal spinners tried to defuse the immediate pressure of the court judgment. Out came the jumped-gun diversion of the identity of the new Archbishop, while on a lower scale the spinners attempted the rich tale that the courts had given the lie to the MLP in regard of Mr Dalli.
Church authorities will remain very reluctant to see the political wind swirling its tricks close to them. The situation today is very different from when Giuseppi Mercieca was appointed Archbishop in 1976. That was only seven years after the MLP and the Curia had made peace after the politico-religious dispute that had raged through the 1960s. Archbishop Mercieca had a lot of bridge-building to attempt in the post-Gonzi era.
Mgr Cremona has accepted the challenge of leading the Diocese with enthusiasm. He feels he has been chosen because he can build bridges and mend fences. The words were said with a smile (Sunday Times, December 3). Nevertheless, they tell of gaps, perhaps chasms, and of differences, maybe big ones. There are no politico-religious issues in play today. There is a society in rapid transition, and a Church labouring to catch up with it without weakening its fundamental values.
Declining attendance at Sunday Mass is only one statistical symptom of what may be a developing crisis. If it is a crisis, it needs a new approach. The new archbishop is set to offer that. "A crisis may be ingrained with fear, and you could therefore paralyse it," were among the first words he uttered on Saturday. "A crisis may (however) serve as a moment of reflection..."
There is much to reflect upon. May God grant Mgr Cremona the insight, wisdom and strength required to be a builder of bridges, a mender of fences, and a Good Shepherd.