Prof Fr Hector Scerri, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Theology, University of Malta, writes:

Mgr Carmelo Cassar was born on February 16, 1934 in Birkirkara. For many years, he was professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Malta. He taught generations of students until he reached retirement age in 1999.

In his younger years, he studied at the Lyceum, Valletta and at the Royal University of Malta from where he successfully read for BA, Lic.D. and LP.

He was ordained priest by Archbishop Michael Gonzi on March 14, 1959. Subsequently, he was engaged in postgraduate studies in Rome, concurrently obtaining a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University as well as doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas (Angelicum) with a thesis on ‘Revelation in the incarnate word’, and a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University. Quite a feat in six years.

He was indeed an avid and zealous scholar.

On his return to Malta and to his original alma mater, the University of Malta, he was appointed a lecturer in philosophy in 1966, teaching ontology and dogmatic theology. With regard to the latter, he taught Christology, the sacrament of the Eucharist, the theology of Grace, holy orders and the theology of ministry.

He excelled in presenting any topic in a highly schematic way, practically hammering the subject matter, point by point.

In 1981, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca named him Canon of the Metropolitan Chapter, serving for many years at the cathedral, in Mdina. From 1981, he also served as judge in the Regional Tribunal of Second Instance.

Mgr Cassar authored a number of articles on theology, most of which he compiled in a book, Aspetti tal-Fidi: Ġabra ta’ kitbiet teoloġiċi (2000).

He passed away on July 25 at the Home for the Clergy, Birkirkara.

As one of his former students and as his successor in the University post he occupied so faithfully for over 30 years, I publicly express my gratitude, on behalf of so many others, for all we received from Dun Karm – academic rigour, fidelity to the teaching of the Church and the enthusiasm to convey to others the love he had for the Lord.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.