Mgr Charles Scicluna to be appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Malta - La Stampa
Mgr Charles Scicluna is to be appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Malta, succeeding the late Mgr Annetto Depasquale, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.
The announcement is expected to be made by the Vatican tomorrow.
Born in 1959, Mgr Scicluna distinguished himself in the Holy See as the Promoter of Justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith working closely with Cardinal Ratzinger before he became Pope Benedict.
He has also been the chief prosecutor in child abuse cases involving the clergy.
Last year Mgr Scicluna caused ripples in the local church when he criticised its handling of local abuse cases and pushed for a faster conclusion. He also indicated that the victims deserved compensation.
See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110807/local/Vatican-official-intervened-to-speed-up-sex-abuse-probe.379055
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Joseph Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 21:48
@C Busuttil.
Do you think I am distorting history. History have already been distorted and twisted many many centuries ago. By the way I have the right to say my opinion and my believes as everyone on earth has. Wether anyone agree or not that is something else.
Joe Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 09:18
Is the Catholic Church the only one Church of Christ? The answer to this question is definitely yes.
Confusion abounds in those who try to discredit the genuineness of the Catholic Church. Saying that the Church started at the time of Constantine contradicts history.
St Peter was the first Pope. History proves it. St Linus was the second Pope. History proves it. St Peter went to Rome and died as a martyr. Hence the Popes resided in Rome. Christ wanted to show how much he is with the Catholic Church. The Roman emperors persecuted the Church and eventually the Catholic Church took the very place where the emperors ruled.
The Bible has not authority without the authority of the Catholic Church. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God because the Catholic Church infallibly teaches that the Bible is the Word of God. But the Catholic Church started teaching before the New Testament was written. And when it was written it was handed to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church used to copy the New Testament, and for that matter the Old Testament as well, and preserved it throughout the ages. No other Church existed in the first millennium.
To say that Christ wants a small flock in his Church contradicts precisely what Jesus wanted. He commanded the Apostles and their successors to go and teach all nations. Christ wants all people to be saved and those who go to Hell can blame only themselves.
Christ set up One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Satan did away with the one true Church of Christ and invented other false churches. Separations from the one true Church of Christ can only be devilish because Christ prayed before he died to preserve unity in his Church.
Joseph Borg
Oct 6th 2012, 14:29
Sorry you are absolutley wrong. You dont know the history and it is your invention to say that Christ founded the catholic church. Another invention is that the bible is an authority given by the catholic church. The Bible is solely authorized by God.You seem that you dont even understand the bible. I never said that Jesus want a small flock. Read again my comment. About the establishment of the catholic church in Constantine era is strongly approved and documented. About Peter that he died Rome does not mean that he was the first pope in Rome. The first head of Christ church was James in Jerusalem. Peter went to Asia Minor now Turkey and he reside and taught there. To say that the pope is infallibly that was a dogma that everyone had to accept that time but today people are not ignorant. There are alot to say about the catholic church but it si not possible to mention them here. Everybody knows today in which situation the catholic church is, Look at all the scandals in the vatican and then you can proof for yourself if it is Christ church. Jesus always said that He will be with His church forever. Do you think He is with the catholic church and let all this on going corruption. Think about it my friend.
C Busuttil
Oct 6th 2012, 16:11
@Joseph Borg
Please stop distorting history, you claim that the catholic church was established by Constantine. For your information the name "Catholic" was applied a millenium after Constantine. Further you claim this is well documented and approved. So now can you tell me from which sources you get this ? since historians have been trying to find such sources for centuries. The only contemporary sources we have from that era is from Aurelius Victor and Eutropius, who hardly mention christianity, the only other source is Eusebius of Caesarea who has written the history of the church.
Besides Nicea was everything but not a tool to accomodate authorities, by the way who are these authorities ?
Stop trying to judge events of 1700 years ago by today standards and through distortions such as the DaVinci code.
You can try other subjects on which to criticize the church but stop distorting history because you lack the basics
Ramon Casha
Oct 8th 2012, 19:16
"Saying that the Church started at the time of Constantine contradicts history."
You're quite right. The Catholic and Orthodox churches both started long after Constantine, in the year 1054 to be precise, when the western and eastern churches split apart over petty politics (ie, who is the top man). There is no evidence that Peter was ever in Rome and circumstantial evidence makes it extremely unlikely. Paul, the creator of Christianity, was in Rome however.
Charles Abela
Oct 6th 2012, 07:56
What the lamented late cardinal Martini said about the church is well know- now Fr Hans Kung transforms these views into praxis. Please refer today’s ( 6th Oct ) ‘The Guardian’ interview.
Louise Vella
Oct 6th 2012, 07:41
I
This news is most welcome indeed. Mgr Scicluna’s vast experience at the Vatican and his deep knowledge on clergy sexual abuse augurs well to the way these matters will be handled at the Maltese curia from now on. Last February 8, he was reported to have said to a symposium in Rome on the clergy sexual abuse crisis that “Hiding behind a culture of “omerta” — the Italian word for the Mafia’s code of silence — would be deadly for the Catholic Church.” See: http://www.caringforourchildrenfoundation.org/?p=16982
The following day, February 9, timesofmalta.com reported that “Mgr Scicluna has called for stricter accountability for bishops who cover up child abuse crimes”. See: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120209/local/mgr-scicluna-calls-for-accountability.405915
If he looks into the files of abusive priests hidden in the Maltese curia’s secret archives, Mgr Scicluna will most certainly find that what he said regarding the culture of secrecy, or omerta`, is also true in Malta. It won’t change unless the bishop, by his actions shows he wants it to change. The reign of omerta’ should be well and truly over. I am sure that Mgr Scicluna would now ensure maximum transparency to get this issue out in Malta.
II
Mgr Scicluna should immediately release the names of Maltese priests defrocked by the Vatican because of sexual abuse of minors. This is vital for protecting children, healing victims and helping other victims come forward, knowing they are not alone.
We want our bishops to be completely transparent as silence and secrets are the fuel of sexual abuse. Let us hope that similar cases will no longer be hidden and swept under the carpet. I am sure that Mgr Scicluna’s integrity will help him take seriously his ordination oath to guide us and always put the safety of the children ahead of concerns about public scandal. Let us also sincerely hope that victims of abusive priests will finally find the peace and justice they so rightly deserve.
Maria Vassallo
Oct 6th 2012, 06:28
Put your question to Fr. Joe Galea, my dear Dr. Saliba?
We are to-day waiting for the Vatican Information Service to give us the news.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 6th 2012, 10:21
@ Maria Vassallo today at 06:26
My question was rhetorical. I do not feel the need to address it directly to Fr Joe Galea because I myself do not have the slightest doubt that his comment did not mean that that when Mgr Scicluna is confirmed as an auxiliary bishop of Malta he will be the first and only "serious" bishop to grace the diocese of Malta. Only the inveterate detractors of the Malta Catholic diocese would have an interest to create that false impression and to attribute it to Fr. Galea.
Henry S Pace
Oct 5th 2012, 22:51
@ Maryann Borg
' The Maltese curia must be in a huge mess for Fr. Scicluna to be sent here. '
A VERY CRUDE COMMENT.
Henry S Pace
Oct 5th 2012, 22:18
@ Francis Saliba M.D.
tHAT IS WHY THIS IS CALLED A SCOOP , BECAUSE IT WAS ANNOUNCED BEFORE IT WAS
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
AGREED.
Henry S Pace
Oct 5th 2012, 21:32
' Francis Saliba M.D.
'The Vatican News and the Archbishop's Curia show a respect for protocol that La Stampa does not feel any compunction to respect. '
100% agreed
Maryann Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 21:00
The Maltese curia must be in a huge mess for Fr. Scicluna to be sent here. I wish him every success!
Joseph Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 20:18
@ Anthony Galea, Joe Zammit and George Lewis.
I respect your opinion but I totally disagree with you. I repeat that the true teaching of Christ is not actually the same teaching of the church. It is true that the church teach about the life of Christ, but even the atheists knows this history. A lot of man made traditions in the church were never taught by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ never founded the catholic roman church. He founded God's church in the new testment. According to ancient history Peter was never the first pope of Rome. The catholic church was founded in Constantine era and from that very moment in Nicea all the teaching of Christ were twisted to accomodate the authorities of that time. Read and study the Holy Bible and you will know the true teaching of Jesus Christ. Did Jesus told us to adore statues, saints etc etc. Did Jesus told us to baptise babies etc etc.Jesus always said that His Church is a small flokk and remain a small flokk. Do you think that the catholic roman church is a small flokk? All the world is deceived by satan power as prophesized in the Bible. Jesus always taught that to gain salvation one should repent and be baptised and obey God's Commandment. God's words was always constant and never changed, so the teaching of Jesus Christ no one on earth has a right to twist or change anything that is written in the bible. Jesus was, is and remain the only Head of the true church and the Highest priest. No man on earth can take His position or pretend to be a vicar of Christ.
Joe Zammit
Oct 6th 2012, 09:52
Is the Catholic Church the only one Church of Christ? The answer to this question is definitely yes.
Confusion abounds in those who try to discredit the genuineness of the Catholic Church. To say that the
Church started at the time of Constantine contradicts history.
St Peter was the first Pope. History proves it. St Linus was the second Pope. History proves it. St Peter went to Rome and died as a martyr. Hence the Popes resided in Rome. Christ wanted to show how much he is with the Catholic Church. The Roman emperors persecuted the Church and eventually the Catholic Church took the very place where the emperors ruled.
The Bible has not authority without the authority of the Catholic Church. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God because the Catholic Church infallibly teaches that the Bible is the Word of God. But the Catholic Church started teaching before the New Testament was written. And when it was written it was handed to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church used to copy the New Testament, and for that matter the Old Testament as well, and preserved it throughout the ages. No other Church existed in the first millennium.
To say that Christ wants a small flock in his Church contradicts precisely what Jesus wanted. He commanded the Apostles and their successors to go and teach all nations. Christ wants all people to be saved and those who go to Hell can blame only themselves.
Christ set up One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Satan did away with the one true Church of Christ and invented other false churches. Separations from the one true Church of Christ can only be devilish because Christ prayed before he died to preserve unity in his Church.
jane camillleri haber
Oct 5th 2012, 19:54
veru li l-Ispirtu S-santu qed imexxi l-Knisja!!. grazzi Mulej ta' din l-ghotja generuza tieghek! aghmel li nkunu denji taghha. grazzi Mons. Scicluna. nitolbu li l-gid li ghamilt lill- knisja universali ingawduh ahna izjed issa li l-Mulej ghazlek biex tkun parti mit-tmexxija tal-gzejjer taghna. il-Knisja f'Malta ghandha bzonn tigdid biex tkun tista' tkompli taghmel hafna gid lill- maltin kollha, tilqaghhom, thobbhom, tikkumpatihom, taqsam maghhom l-aspirazzjonijiet u l-holm taghhom, taqsam maghhom il-qtiegh-ta' qalb taghhom u minghajr ma tiddeskrimina bejniethom tahfrilhom bl-imhabba kollha meta jitolbuha taghmel dan, filwaqt li tistennihom f-akkumpanjament kontinwu meta ma jitolbuha qatt... jew ghax ma jaghrfux l-izball taghhom... jew ma jkunx wasal il- waqt.....il-knisja f'malta ghandha bzonnok.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 5th 2012, 19:52
@ Henry s Pace today at 18:31.
The Vatican News and the Archbishop's Curia show a respect for protocol that La Stampa does not feel any compunction to respect.
Henry S Pace
Oct 5th 2012, 18:31
' Mgr Charles Scicluna to be appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Malta - La Stampa '
This is a scoop.
Neither the Vatican News nor the Archbishop's Curia reported this news.
E Said
Oct 5th 2012, 17:50
Congratulations. Wonderful news!
Paul Portelli
Oct 5th 2012, 17:41
nifirhu lil mons Scicluna .certi li ha jghamel hafna gid il pajjizna
hal-lija kbura bik mons.dil poezija hija ringrazzjament mil poplu ta hal-lija ghalik:
TISLIMA TA MERHBA LILI MONS CHARLES SCICLUNA
ISQOF AWZILJARJU TA,MALTA
Da tfajjel ta’ hal-lija
Ta’ hajtu ghal- feddej
Ried illi bli hu jghamel
Wisq jaqdi lil mulej
Niftakru meta lahaq
Qassis ma zghazagh dar
Kien maghna jiddiskuti
Biex fina ra l-ahjar
Kemm kien jifimna Charlie
Hekk konna insibuh
Kemm kbejna meta qalu
Lil lilu ha johduh
U kompla fil- karriera
Min barra frahna bieh
Ghalkemm qatt ma ghednilu
Lir-rahal ghamel gieh
Hu ferm inteligenti
Il-papa riedu mieghu
Hemm zammu huwa hafna
Fl-ufficju ferm qrib tieghu
Issa baghtulna lura
Biex jaqdi fl-art maltija
Hu bil-hidma li jghamel
Jghamel gid lil hal-lija
Mons inti dejjem maghna
Tana l-ikbar unur
Hu hsieb di l-art maltija
Ta iben is-salvatur
Maria Vassallo
Oct 5th 2012, 15:59
QUOTE:
Congratulations. Malta needs a serious bishop who is faithful to the teachings of the Church. Fr Joe Galea.
COMMENT:
A very confusing and misleading statement!
Is Fr. Galea (???) meaning that Archbishop Michael Gonzi, Bishop Emanuel Galea, Archbishop Emanuel Gerada, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, Bishop Annetto Depasquale and Archbishop Paul Cremona were or are not serious bishops who were/are faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, and His Church?
Kemm hawn injoranza fostna barra kliem zejjed u mhux f'postu!
Issa jmissu mhux vera din l-ahbar sabih, qlajja tal-istampa spekulattiva!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 5th 2012, 17:56
@ Maria Vassallo today at 15:59
Perhaps Fr Joe Galea meant that Malta needs ONE MORE serious bishop - at least I hope so!
Joe Xuereb
Oct 5th 2012, 15:10
Congratulations to Mgr. Charles Scicluna. Of course there will be tough times ahead but I believe you have given ample proof that you are capable of dealing with tough situations.
Joe Mary Deguara
Oct 5th 2012, 14:42
Prosit and welcome . We need you greatly
Maria Debono
Oct 5th 2012, 14:07
Mgr Scicluna, Lija and Malta are proud of you. May the Holy Spirit be always with you and guide you. Ad Multos Annos
vella m
Oct 5th 2012, 13:49
Mgr Charles Scicluna ,the people of Hal Lija are so proud of you.
Vincent Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 13:28
Prosit u good luck Mons Scicluna you are the right and I repeat the right man for the job.
Alfred Grech
Oct 5th 2012, 13:18
Congratulations to Mgr Sciclua - I think he's the perfect man for the job.
Alfred Falzon
Oct 5th 2012, 13:17
Welcome Mons Scicluna. Your credentials are self explanatory. Your appointment is a big gain for Malta and probably a great loss for the Vatican.
Mr Dylan Olliver
Oct 5th 2012, 13:15
Thank God. And about time too.
Manuel Mangani
Oct 5th 2012, 13:05
Doctrinally sound, humane, capable and competent. An excellent choice.
joseph antignolo
Oct 5th 2012, 12:55
This is a great news especially to the Iklin community. Ad Molts Annos Mgr. Scicluna. May the Lord's blessings continue to guide you. The Antignolo family.
Joseph G. Galea
Oct 5th 2012, 12:47
Congratulations. Malta needs a serious bishop who is faithful to the teachings of the Church. Fr Joe Galea.
Joseph Borg
Oct 5th 2012, 13:03
Ilqatt il musmar fuq rasu ezatt when saying "Malta needs a serious bishop who is faithful to the teachings of the Church". Exactly not the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Anthony Galea
Oct 5th 2012, 17:02
The teachings of the Church are the teachings of Christ, Joseph Borg, because Christ founded the Church (Mt 16:18) and the bishops are the successors of the Apostles, with the pope being the successor of Saint Peter himself.
Joe Zammit
Oct 5th 2012, 17:11
The Church is the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ. Christ founded one Church and St Paul tells us clearly that the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. So the teaching of the Church is the teaching of Christ. Christ said it frankly that he would remain with his one Church up to the end of time.
Those who are against this one true Church of Christ are against Christ.
It's crass ignorance to say that the teaching of the Church is not the teaching of Christ.
Today Christ continues to speak to us through his Church.
George Lewis
Oct 5th 2012, 19:05
Are you insinuating that the bishops we have and have had are or were not serious?How could anyone come to such conclusions?I hope that this senseless comment will never again be repeated.
Thank God for the bishops we have had and for the present ones .May the good Lord bless and keep them.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 5th 2012, 20:00
@ Joseph G Galea today at 12:47
The teaching of the Church in Malta and Gozo IS the teaching of Christ. I have in mind particularly the teaching of the bishops of the Malta and Gozo dioceses regarding the indissolubly of marriage as enunciated by Christ in the NT gospels. There is no reason to anticipate that Mgr Scicluna would preach a different message.
George Schembri Orland
Oct 5th 2012, 12:39
Prosit and well deserved. I am sure that he will excell as always.
Alfred Fenech
Oct 5th 2012, 12:35
At last, Congratulations.
mark cassar
Oct 5th 2012, 12:33
Mela ejja l'hawn Malta, ghandna bzonnok !
V Mercieca
Oct 5th 2012, 12:29
Congratulations to Mgr Scicluna and may the LORD guide him to look well after HIS sheep
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