A Maltese bishop with an African heart

The Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, Apostolorum Successores, says that if the bishop's "episcopal ministry is to bear fruit, [he] is called to conform himself closely to Christ both in his personal life and in the exercise of his apostolate, in such a way that the 'mind of Christ' (1 Cor 2:16) thoroughly informs his thoughts, words and deeds, and the light streaming from the face of Christ illuminates his 'care of souls, which is the art of arts'" (§ 2). The fruitful life of Mgr Francis Baldacchino OFM Cap, bishop of Malindi in Kenya, who went to the Father's House on October 9, is a living testimony of how a bishop can be faithful to his episcopal calling.

A Christlike bishop is the one who bridges the Gospel with the prevalent culture of the time. The Directory reminds that "the bishop should remember that inculturation must be accompanied by the transformation of the authentic values of different cultures through their integration into Christianity" (§ 147).

Both as a Capuchin Missionary as well as a bishop, Mgr Baldacchino was wise enough to integrate and purify what was Kenyan with the Christian faith. Aided by his profound scholarly preparation in Biblical studies, Mgr Baldacchino carried out his call for evangelisation, first by thoroughly studying the Swahili language and then by helping the Kenyan people to know it properly. As a man of communion, he believed that a concerted missionary effort will reap much fruit for the Universal Church and the Capuchin Order. With this aim in mind, he helped his fellow Maltese Capuchins to easily master the indigenous language in order that they too can be effective Gospel ministers to God's flock in Kenya. To this effect, he composed a mini dictionary of 2000 Swahili words which closely resemble Maltese words. On Christ's footsteps, Mgr Baldacchino "went about doing good" (Acts 10, 38) to everyone, especially to the poor.

The second characteristic which distinguished Mgr Baldacchino was that of being a strong formator of the Christian faith. During his 35 years as a missionary in Kenya, Mgr Baldacchino was deeply committed to promoting the Christian formation of the laity as well as of the candidates for the priesthood and consecrated life. He did his utmost to train catechists, teachers and heads of Christian communities in order that "the good news of the kingdom of God is preached" (Lk 16, 16) through every possible means, particularly by means of the inspiring seminars he used to conduct. In this way, the Christian faith became available not only to Catholic fold but also to non-Catholic Christians and believers of other religions.

The Vatican Council II's Decree On the Mission Activity Of the Church, Ad Gentes, states that the particular churches in missionary lands "should launch a common pastoral effort and suitable works to increase the number of vocations to the diocesan clergy and to religious institutes, to discern them more readily, and to train them more efficiently, so that little by little these churches may be able to provide for themselves and to bring aid to others" (§ 19). Since he was chosen as a Superior Regular of the Franciscan Capuchins in Kenya (1984-1990), Mgr Baldacchino launched a bold and incisive plan to implant the Capuchin Order in this African country. With the funds he attained he managed to build the Postulants' House in Mpeketoni and a Major Seminary in Langata, outside of Nairobi.

The latter catered for the Kenyan and other North African Franciscan Capuchin students. The sterling work which both Mgr Baldacchino as well as the Maltese Franciscan Capuchin missionaries did and still are doing in the Kenya Mission was duly recognised by the creation of the Franciscan Capuchin Vice Province of Kenya in 1996.

With his installation as bishop of Malindi, Mgr Baldacchino continued to carry out his formidable program of evangelisation, mainly by building schools, churches, clinics, and the well-known huge and centralised Pastoral Central, from which other small centres scattered around his diocese can be effectively guided.

The zealous Capuchin bishop believed that prayer is the soul of every sound missionary activity. For this end Mgr Baldacchino was building a monastery for the Capuchin Poor Clares Sisters. Unfortunately he did not have the grace of seeing this milestone project completed. It was when he came to Malta for treatment that sisters arrived in Malindi and started their contemplative life.

For all intents and purposes, Mgr Baldacchino will be remembered and recorded in the Kenyan Church's as well as the Franciscan Capuchin history as the Maltese bishop with an African heart. The judgment passed unto him by the Good Lord is undeniably merited: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master" (Matt 25, 21. 23).