The wish to do his very best remains

Five years have passed since Malta welcomed its 11th Archbishop and although the Church has gone through some of its most arduous challenges, the former Father Provincial has emerged with his characteristic smile.

He’s very kind and tries to help everyone

“It was never easy-flowing but the wish to do my best remains in my heart. Although I didn’t look for the role of Archbishop myself, I accepted it in full obedience towards the Pope and the Church,” Mgr Paul Cremona said.

In his consecration Mass, Archbishop Cremona had said he faced his “great mission” with fear but was confident that God would see him through. This humility and his natural charm had won the crowds that hailed the new Archbishop when he was appointed with an overwhelming wave of support.

Then 61-years old, Mgr Cremona officially took possession of the title in a consecration Mass that lasted more than three hours at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta on January 26, 2007.

What was supposed to be a solemn ceremony buzzed with hugs, handshakes and applause.

Five years later, his demeanour remains unchanged.

“The initial anticipation of a new role is always there but I asked the Lord to help me guide His people,” he said when contacted.

Dominican Fr Charles Tabone, who formed part of the Nazzarenu parish community in Sliema when Mgr Cremona was parish priest there, said the Archbishop’s humanity was what always stood out the most.

“Notwithstanding his busy schedule, he meets a lot of people personally. He’s very kind and tries to help everyone.

“His charisma sprouts comfort and encouragement. He doesn’t always have a solution but he always has a word of comfort and inspiring words,” Fr Tabone said.

Even though those around the Archbishop advise him to take some time off, he feels obliged to dedicate his time to those in need.

“Just like Jesus, he is truly a man of the people. Even in the Dominican community, he is a real brother, you find him wherever and whenever you need him.

Fr Tabone used to consider Mgr Cremona as his elder brother.

“He used to mean a lot to me as my elder brother and I always found him when I needed to share my feelings and thoughts,” he said.

Although the nature of the decisions Mgr Cremona has to make now are different from those he handled five years ago, Fr Tabone believes he was always in a position that required decision-making.

As a Dominican, Mgr Cremona was a prior, parish priest, students’ formateur and Father Provincial.

No matter whom he deals with, in his decisions he always shows huge respect for the person.

“He was always sensitive to the people who were affected by the decisions taken,” Fr Tabone added.

His sensitivity to today’s society is another asset that stands out in Mgr Cremona, according to university professor Oliver Friggieri.

“These were five beautiful years during which the Church showed that it has a contemporary message relevant to young people.

“Archbishop Cremona managed to find the idiom to communicate with different people. Conscious of Malta’s plurality, Mgr Cremona gives a message of love and respect towards believers and non-believers. The Church remains an institution that loves rather than judges,” he said.

Prof. Friggieri said the Archbishop’s biggest challenge remained the divorce referendum and Malta’s membership of the EU, a post-Christian continent.

“Archbishop Cremona tackled these two challenges well and faced them in a way that reflects that we live in a world that is bigger than Malta,” he said.