Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona was given a rapturous applause this evening, during Christ the King Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, which also served to pay tribute to the bishop, who resigned on October 18.

Thanking all those who helped him during his term as archbishop, Mgr Cremona said he submitted his resignation because he felt he was too tired adding the Church needed creative people and people who could lead the country to evangelisation.

Mass was attended by, among others, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Cardinal Prospero Grech.

In his homily, which was dedicated to thanking Mgr Cremona, Apostolic Administrator Bishop Charles Scicluna hoped the people would keep enjoying Mgr Cremona’s smile and his beautiful heart, in which they saw the kingdom of Jesus. “Not a kingdom of power, but a kingdom of service.”

Bishop Scicluna said: “I will never forget what you told me two years ago during my Episcopal ordination - that our dignity comes from the flock. We are servants of the flock... You spoke from experience.”

“You rejoiced with us during the canonisation of St Gorg Preca, and you cried when the people made choices not in line with Christ’s wishes,” he said in an obvious reference to when the introduction of divorce was approved in a referendum.

Bishop Scicluna thanked politicians for cooperating with the church led by Mgr Cremona in its charity and education work. This, he said, had been facilitated by Mgr Cremona’s personal goodness and the sense of dialogue he fostered.