The moment Archbishop Scicluna received his crosier from the Papal Nuncio, Mgr Aldo Cavalli. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Formally taking the helm as the head of the Maltese Church yesterday, newly installed Archbishop Charles Scicluna promised to treat every member of his flock with kindness and, when necessary, to fend off the “wolf with the staff”.

Addressing the congregation at St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, Mgr Scicluna referred to the Gospel according to St John, which focused on the time Jesus entrusted Peter with leadership of his flock. Those words took on a particular resonance for him on the day, he said in his homily.

“‘Tend to my sheep and my flock’, Jesus told Peter. Today, He is addressing these words to me. To tend means to watch over, to guard, to feed, to nurture, to comfort and to guide. All this is mine to take up as my duty and as my calling.

“I must perform all this by preaching and, above all, by example. I must carry out all this with love and with the spirit of kindness with every member of the flock and, when needed, with the staff before the wolf.”

The episcopacy entrusted to him as Archbishop was not his to shoulder on his own but one which must be divided with his collaborators, including priests, diocesans and other religious people.

We need to seriously start examining what is pastorally outdated so we can better perform our duties- Fr Refalo

He thanked Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona for the assistance he promised to give him and for being a “beautiful testament of love, which you had given and continued to give us”. Mgr Cremona, who resigned last October because of ill health, was greeted with a round of applause.

Later in the Mass, with his characteristic sense of humour, Mgr Scicluna thanked Cardinal Prospero Grech not only for honouring him with his presence but also for adding a “touch of colour” to the ceremony, referring to the cardinal’s deep red robes which contrasted with the sea of ivory.

The faithful follow the inaugural Mass outside the Mdina Cathedral. Photo: Jason Borg

Part of the congregation at yesterday’s Mass at the Mdina Cathedral. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

In a comment which sparked a wave of laughter, he thanked Mgr Paul Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, for his “great and heroic patience” in meeting with what he used to call the “Maltese mafia” on Sunday evenings.

Present at the Mass were a host of dignitaries, including the President, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, as well as Mgr Scicluna’s own family, who presented the offerings.

Among representatives of the public chosen to greet the new Archbishop was Geoffrey Azzopardi, the police inspector who was targeted with a bomb explosion outside his house in November.

In his speech at the beginning of the ceremony, the President of the College of Parish Priests Fr Gordon Refalo called for better direction and for a greater sense of communion. “Us priests feel the need for clearer direction, for greater pastoral eagerness and love, for a greater spiritual profundity which guides us, for greater communion both between ourselves and also with you and your closest collaborators. We also need to seriously start examining what is pastorally outdated so that we can better perform our duties.”

The Church also needed to seek and unite young people as well as those who lived in society’s periphery.

Fr Refalo paid homage to Mgr Scicluna’s love towards God and His Church, to his academic preparation, pastoral zeal and vast experience in numerous responsibilities he held in Malta and abroad.

“We see in you a practical person who is capable of taking decisions when needed, even if these would lessen your popularity.

“We find joy in your happiness and that you’re able to view a lot of things with a sense of humour, but we also put our minds at rest that you know to give importance to matters which deserve it.”

An admirer of Malta’s new Archbishop in her balcony, near Ta’ Giezu church, Rabat. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Mgr Charles Scicluna with his predecessor, Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona, at St Dominic’s church in Rabat. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi