Pawl Cremona O.P. | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop Emeritus of Malta | |
 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Malta |
| Appointed | 2 December 2006 |
| Term ended | 17 October 2014 |
| Predecessor | Joseph Mercieca |
| Successor | Charles Scicluna |
| Previous post(s) | Parish priest,Sliema |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 22 March 1969 by Mikiel Gonzi |
| Consecration | 26 January 2007 by Joseph Mercieca |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1946-01-25)25 January 1946 |
| Died | 18 March 2025(2025-03-18) (aged 79) Mater Dei Hospital,Msida, Malta |
| Nationality | Maltese |
| Alma mater | Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas |
| Motto | Ħejju T-Triq Għall-Mulej |
| Coat of arms |  |
Paul CremonaOP (Maltese:Pawl Cremona; 25 January 1946 – 18 March 2025) was a Maltese Roman Catholic prelate who was theArchbishop of Malta from 2007 to 2014. He was also aDominican friar.
Cremona was born inValletta on 25 January 1946 to Joseph and Josephine (née Cauchi) Cremona. He had two siblings: an elder brother and a younger sister. He attended theMontessori School in Valletta and the Lyceum inĦamrun.[1]
In September 1962, Cremona joined the Dominican Order and was professed on 29 September 1963. He studied philosophy and theology at the College of St Thomas Aquinas located at the Dominican priory atRabat.
Cremona was ordained as priest on 22 March 1969. After his ordination, he studied at thePontifical University of St. Thomas AquinasAngelicum and earned his doctorate in sacred theology (STD) in 1973 with a thesis entitledThe Concept of Peace in Pope John XXIII.
Cremona was elected Prior ofOur Lady of the Grotto, Rabat, in 1974, and held that position from 1974 to 1980 and from 1997 to 2003. He was Dominican Prior Provincial of Malta from 1981 to 1989.
In 1989, Cremona was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish inGwardamanġa,Pietà, where he served until 1993. He then became responsible for the formation of Dominicannovices and students at Rabat, an office he again held between 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Cremona became parish priest of Jesus of Nazareth inSliema.
Cremona held other offices in theArchdiocese of Malta, including Archbishop's Delegate for Consecrated Life, assistant spiritual director at the Seminary at Tal-Virtù, Rabat, member of the Presbyterial Council, and president of the Council of Maltese Religious Major Superiors (KSMR).
Cremona was appointed the eleventh Archbishop of Malta on 2 December 2006. He received his episcopal consecration on 26 January 2007 at theCo-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Valletta from the retiring Archbishop of Malta,Joseph Mercieca, assisted by theApostolic Nuncio, ArchbishopFélix del Blanco Prieto, and BishopGeorge Frendo, Cremona's former schoolmate. Cremona invoked BishopSaint Augustine: "For you I am a Bishop but with you I am a Christian."
In 2007, Cremona was appointed Grand Prior for Malta of theEquestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem with the rank of Knight Grand Officer.
As Archbishop of Malta, Cremona was a popular preacher for Lenten sermons. He wrote works ontheology andspirituality, including on the Creed and the Commandments. He also co-authored works with George Frendo, his schoolmate and fellow bishop.
Members of the Episcopal Curia said that the archdiocese lacked leadership under Cremona. In August 2014, Cremona was asked whether he would resign and replied: "I hold this position in obedience to the Pope's wishes and will only leave in obedience."[2][3] On 17 October 2014, Cremona submitted his resignation as Archbishop of Malta andPope Francis approved it the same day.[4] He said the next day that he had thought of resigning two years earlier, due to exhaustion. Cremona was the first bishop of Malta to resign prior to retirement age since the 19th-century.Charles Scicluna was appointedApostolic Administrator and later Archbishop of Malta by Pope Francis on 27 February 2015.[5]
Cremona died following a long illness atMater Dei Hospital, on 18 March 2025, at the age of 79.[6] He had initially spent his retirement at the Dominican Friary in Rabat, Malta, before spending his final years atId-Dar tal-Kleru inBirkirkara, a home specifically for retired priests.
His funeral took place atSt. John's Co-Cathedral inValletta, on 22 March 2025. ArchbishopCharles Scicluna presided at the funeral, which was attended by numerous dignitaries including CardinalMario Grech the PresidentMyriam Spiteri Debono, Prime MinisterRobert Abela, Opposition LeaderBernard Grech, Chief JusticeMark Chetcuti. Former presidentsMarie Louise Coleiro Preca andGeorge Abela and former Prime MinistersJoseph Muscat andLawrence Gonzi were also present.
Following the funeral his remains were transported toRabat, where he was laid to rest in a private burial ceremony.[7]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Archbishop of Malta 2007–2014 | Succeeded by |
