Archbishop visits The Times

Archbishop Paul Cremona toured The Times building in St Paul's Street, Valletta for the first time yesterday, saying nothing compared to the credibility and seriousness of the newspaper, which shouldered its responsibility.

His presence added a touch of spirituality, slowing down the pace slightly in what is normally a fast-moving work environment, characterised by tight deadlines and pressure.

Mgr Cremona was greeted by Allied Newspapers Ltd management and was shown around the building, where he showed a keen interest in the workings of the paper and the way it is produced, taking time to speak to the staff and crack the odd joke.

His visit started from the area known as the machines, where magazines are printed, and where the printers took the opportunity to take photographs with the Archbishop.

Moving on into the complex maze of equipment in the printing press, he marvelled at the way everything came together and at the technological advancements.

However, Mgr Cremona was probably most impressed with the online version of the paper, timesofmalta.com, where the story of his visit to The Times had already been uploaded and he could read it shortly after he arrived on site and even see the photograph of his entrance into the building.

The Archbishop expressed his fascination with "the new world" that the internet has opened up, in keeping with the fact that "life is fast" and everyone wanted everything "now".

With his typical beaming smile and the sense of serenity that surrounds him, Mgr Cremona admitted he loved newspapers but never had enough time to read them, questioning how the public managed to read stories online and even interact by posting their comments.

Easing the "tension" he was told is typical of newsrooms, the Archbishop joked with reporters that he had organised his ordination for noon so as not to keep them working late.

From what he termed the "pressure" room, Mgr Cremona proceeded to the design studio of the paper and its IT department, or nerve centre, noting the advances in technology.

At Progress Press, he came across his image - or "advert" - stuck on a locker and signed a picture of St Dominic at the enthusiastic request of the workers.

For the digital team of the online news section, he also signed the Progress Press publication, In Paul's Footsteps, on his own ordination, jokingly asking where it was printed.

Mgr Cremona commented on the "power in one small room", which housed the heart of the website, on his way out.

The Archbishop was accompanied by Fr William Bartolo and members of the Kummissjoni Pastorali fid-Dinja tax-Xogħol (the pastoral commission at the workplace).

His visit yesterday coincided with the day the world's unions commemorated those who died at the workplace and it was the first time the Church and the commission had joined forces with the unions to remember them too on that particular occasion, the commission members said.

The Archbishop said Mass for Allied Newspapers employees on the premises, where he focused on the value of dignity and responsibility associated with work in his homily.

Earlier in the day, he visited the hawkers at the market in Merchants Street and Café Cordina employees.