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6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MARCH 2025 NEWS NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt 'He was love': Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona laid to rest THE funeral of Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona took place at St John's Co-Ca- thedral in Valletta, with a large congrega- tion gathered to pay their final respects. The solemn event saw clergy, dignitar- ies, and members of the public, all united in mourning for the former archbishop of Malta. Mgr Cremona passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79. Born in Valletta on 25 January, 1946, he dedicated his life to the Church and served as Archbishop of Mal- ta from January 2007 until his resignation in October 2014. Citing health reasons, he stepped down at the age of 68 and was succeeded by Archbishop Charles Sciclu- na. Saturday's funeral Mass was presided over by Scicluna, marking the culmina- tion of a series of commemorative events held between Thursday and Saturday, jointly organised by the Church and the State. The mass opened with Gregorian chants. The first reading, taken from the Book of Job, was delivered by Sister Maryann Car- dona of the Dominican Order. This was followed by a passage from the Letters of St Paul, read by Michael Zammit, a close friend of Cremona. The gospel, a read- ing from St Matthew, was proclaimed by Jesmond Schembri, representing Malta's Greek-Catholic parish. In his homily, Scicluna described Mgr Cremona as a loving man with a humble heart. "It was easy to love him because he was love," he told the congregation. He said the Church will never forget Mgr Cremona's words: "I loved you and you loved me." (Ħabbejtkom u ħabbejtuni). Archbishop Scicluna also pointed out that his funeral was taking place on the anniversary of his ordainment as priest on 22 March, 1969. He thanked Mgr Cre- mona for his warm and welcoming spirit, saying he "remains alive in all of us". Cremona was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the St Dominic's Church in Rabat. He was a member of the Domini- can Order. Among those in attendance at the funer- al were President Myriam Spiteri Debono and her husband Anthony Spiteri Debono, Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, and Cardinal Mario Grech, who traveled from Rome for the occasion. Former pres- ident Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was also present as were ministers and MPs. Dignitaries, clergymen and members of the public united in mourning for former archbishop Paul Cremona who was laid to rest on Saturday (All photos Archdiocese of Malta/Ian Noel Pace)