I do not think that the unofficial announcement in the media about the appointment of Bishop Charles J Scicluna as the new Archbishop of Malta surprised many people. Mgr Scicluna's past performance in the Church Universal and his stint as Apostolic Administrator shows that he has what it takes.
I will be commenting about the appointment and the challenges ahead for the Church in Malta in my commentary in The Sunday Times of Malta. Today, I would like to share with you as a guest blog the comments I received from a dear friend of mine. One can agree or disagree with what is written in the commentary but I do think that it provides an interesting and intelligent take on the appointment.
“You know I wasn't very keen on Scicluna but over time I came to respect him a lot and today's news made me very happy for me personally and the Church that I love.
His stint as Apostolic Administrator was the best thing to happen to him and the Church. I doubt that had he remained Auxiliary Bishop there would be the widespread consensus there seems to be on the announcement of his appointment.
During this period (October to date) he really came into his own. Before he was hemmed in between by structures and ecclesiastical leaders. He lamented many times that he was in a straitjacket - that he was not even allowed to exercise his duties even as Auxiliary Bishop. So people read him through the lens of the dominant ecclesiastical interia...People grumbled Imbasta gabuh hawn. Mhu qed jaghmel xejn. Kollox l-istess baqa" not thinking that he was just a small cog and that he really was kicked upstairs as many (including me) gleefully said when he was brought here from Rome.
Since October he has blossomed. He became his own man. He laid down the 'law' especially in a sector of the Church that was considered unruly and lawless - the parish priests. He showed that he meant business and this brought about a sense of security that had been sorely lacking. From a rudderless ship, the Church started gaining a voice, even if one didn't always agree with his words or methods but at least there was evidence of action. Slowly we started to breathe, and to hope and wish that he would be appointed because we saw that he has vision, a plan, and not afraid to execute it.
He is not afraid to speak his mind, He doesn't waffle. He takes decisive action (Safeguarding) without worrying that he would hurt anybody's feelings.
We now hope that he will use the same stamina and courage when he comes to deal with the Curia and the Tribunal. He must be careful not to listen to false prophets and trust his gut - the same guts he used to tackle the biggest octopus in the Church - abuse.
He is very affable and a media darling just like Mgr Cremona but underestimate him at your peril. Under that joviality and bonhomie lies a shepherd who is not afraid to kill the wolf to guard his sheep.