Archbishop Paul Cremona said yesterday that he would stay on as Archbishop for as long as the Pope wanted him to.

He was asked by Times of Malta about remarks made in The Sunday Times of Malta by columnist and blogger, Fr Joe Borg, where questions were raised about his leadership (owing to health reasons).

During a prayer vigil earlier, Mgr Cremona urged those suffering for the Church with him not to be disheartened and to hold firm. See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140822/local/archbishop-urges-all-those-suffering-for-the-church-with-him-not-to-be-disheartened.532783

Asked for further comment later, he said:

“I hold this position in obedience [to the Pope’s wishes] and will only leave in obedience,” the Archbishop replied.

“Since the Pope told me to stay on, I acquiesced to his wish. The wish, the idea, is not mine but it is the Pope’s. I shall remain for as long as the Pope asks me to.”