In June 2008 I penned a blog titled “Paul, Apostle of dialogue”. Paul referred to Archbishop Pawlu Cremona. He had just written a commentary for Malta Today in answer to its editorial about the Church and the divorce debate. It was the first time that an archbishop had done such a thing.

On the eve of the official thanksgiving celebration that is being organised by the Archdiocese of Malta in homage of the altruistic and heartfelt service proffered by Archbishop Emeritus Pawlu Cremona OP I revisit a couple of couple of his characteristics mentioned in that and other blogs which, one hopes, will also characterise the new archbishop.

Cremona’s ministry was one of transition, and providentially so. In a certain sense he became archbishop on the threshold between the old and the new Malta. Culturally it was a difficult time as he had to lead a church looking for a new synthesis and a new mode of being a church. His way of acting can teach his successor more than a thing or two.

Mgr Cremona, unlike his predecessor, had not been plagued by Church/State issues. But he had to confront a new challenge that the Church is being faced with: the change from a country with a vast majority of practicing Catholics to a country with a majority of Catholics a good chunk of whom are cultural more than evangelised Catholics. Besides this is a country with an ever increasing number of unbelievers and followers of other religions.

The Archbishop Emeritus’ demeanour was ideal for building bridges with these non-Catholics or non-practising Catholics. He could easily mix with all and was loved by all. No one felt threatened by him. His characteristic of a gentle bridge builder has to be one of the characteristics of his successor.

Mgr Cremona was a man of the people more than a man of structures. He loved to be with people and people loved to be with him. I have been to many houses where among the family photos one could see his photo with family members. The young preferred the selfies to the formal photos. His successor has to be a man of the people as much as Mgr Cremona was a man of the people. He has to be also a man of structures more than Mgr Cremona was. The people-centred characteristic has to be prudently accompanied by the task-oriented one.

In the introduction of this piece I noted that Mgr Cremona was the first archbishop to write an opinion piece in a newspaper. His commentary to Malta Today was followed by several other commentaries. This is the first and final characteristic I will point to. Vatican Council II had said that a bishop’s use of the media should be part of his ordinary ministry. Mgr Cremona’s several appearances on television or participation on the radio showed him to be a good communicator. His successor has to be as good while being able to harness his communication skill with a good communication structure for the church in our archdiocese.

The thank-you that Maltese Catholics will tomorrow give Mgr Cremona is truly deserved. I augur that during his semi-retirement he will continue to do what he enjoys doing most: serving people.

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