Focusing on our new Archbishop

One cannot but appreciate the programme of activities, so well prepared by the organising committee, presided over by Fr Charles Cordina, Pastoral Secretary to the Archbishop, for the episcopal ordination of Mgr Paul Cremona, OP, on January 26.

One wonders whether it is by coincidence that Archbishop Cremona has planned his ordination for the feast of the two bishops, St Timothy and St Titus, to whom the Apostle of the Gentiles, St Paul, had written separate epistles, which now have such an honourable place in the New Testament?

The entire programme covering the episcopal ordination of Mgr Cremona has certainly been inspired by him, as he is a renowned scholar of the teachings of the Church and its documents as expressed in the Ecumenical Councils, especially Vatican II, which include the important Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office in the Church (October 28, 1965).

It is no surprise at all that the nomination of Archbishop Cremona has been so well received by all Maltese of good will, who are confident that he will prove to be another great pastoral leader in the line of his two predecessors in Malta and in Gozo.

Surely, Archbishop Cremona during his spiritual retreat (January 8-12) before his episcopal ordination, must have reflected in deep silence on the important decree Christus Dominus of Vatican II.

It is appropriate to draw readers' attention that before Vatican II Pope John XXIII had sent a personal letter to each bishop appealing to them: "A bishop who is himself holy will most certainly have a following of holy priests, whose holiness will in turn redound to the religious perfection of the whole diocese"

Several months later, speaking at the Vatican Council, Cardinal Montini, soon to be Pope John's successor, stressed clearly that a good bishop's influence comes from its source: he must be "the image of the Father and the image of Christ". For both Popes, the thrust of the Council had to be decidedly pastoral.

At this point one must recall that on becoming Pope, John Paul II explained to the faithful that the title "Supreme Pontiff" is a contraction of the Latin pontifex, "bridge-builder". And this is the reflection which Archbishop Cremona shared with his listeners on the media in his first opportunity after his nomination.

Like the two great Popes, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, our new Archbishop very humbly prays: "Be not afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. Help the Pope and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ's power to serve the human person and the whole of mankind".

"Be not afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilisation and development... Be not afraid. Christ knows 'what is in man'. He alone knows it."

The Good Lord knows so well that in Archbishop Paul Cremona there's plenty of goodness, plenty of stamina and plenty of love.