Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/483475
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 MARCH 2015 11 February 2012 at the Pontifical Gregorian University, he said that "the deliberate denial of known facts, and the misplaced concern that the good name of the institution should somehow enjoy absolute priority" were "enemies of truth" and reflected "a deadly cul- ture of silence" which he characterized as a form of omertà, the word used to describe the Mafia's code of si- lence to protect crimi- nal conspiracies in the face of civil and crimi- nal authority. One of journalism's most prolific of Vati- can insiders, John L. Allen, dubbed Sciclu- na a Catholic "hero" for his role in suc- cessful prosecutions of clerical sex abusers. "His leadership on the church's effort to re- cover from its child sexual abuse scandals, especially his role in the prosecution of the late Fr Marcial Maciel Degollado, have made him a hero to reform- ers everywhere. His appointment will thus be taken not only as an important moment for Malta, but also a sign that good guys don't always finish last!" Al- len, formerly of the National Catholic Re- porter and now writ- ing for The Boston Globe, said. News cession. At Ta' Giezu, Scicluna was greeted by an even bigger crowd. The Franciscans presented him with a small statue of a somewhat stout bishop, which Scicluna greeted with a hearty peal of laughter, showing his trademark sense of humour. At his next stop at St Mark's church, Scicluna met with all the parish priests of Malta and they spared a moment to pray all to- gether. After these visits, the pro- cession moved on to Mdina, where he was greeted by more enthusiastic crowds. Outside St Agatha Chapel, in Mdina Scicluna greeted the lead- ers of other Christian Churches and Christian traditions in Malta. Later on, outside the cathedral at Mdina, he also greeted the head of the Mus- lim Community in Malta, Imam Mohammed Elsadi. Scicluna entered the Cathedral to choir singing and a fanfare, as the procession entered the building. The President, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Mus- cat, and Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil as well as ministers and shadow ministers were present at the ceremony. The congregation also included Scicluna's parents, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and his parents, as well as former prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami, and Archbishop emeritus Cremona. One of the highlights of the cer- emony, the reading of the papal de- cree officially installing Scicluna as the new head of the Maltese Church was read out at the start of the cer- emony, and after a brief address from the president of the College of Chaplains, Gordon Refalo, Scicluna was also presented with the pallium. In his address, Refalo expressed the clergy's desire to follow his lead in fighting for the good of the peo- ple and said that he hoped Scicluna would be able to continue his work as a humble servant of God for as long as possible. During the ceremony, Scicluna also greeted the highest figures of authority who were present, and he was also greeted by representatives of the clergy and lay people. Among those who went up to greet him were representatives from the Au- gustinian and Ursuline sisters, three Dar tal-Providenza residents and relatives of inspector Geoffrey Az- zopardi, who was recently through a traumatic experience when a bomb went off at the family home in Zur- rieq, leaving the family shocked but unhurt. During his sermon, Scicluna quot- ed parts of the evangelical reading which described the event when Christ entrusted Peter with the lead- ership of his flock, saying that the words were particularly resonant to him on this day. "This reading reminds me that the basis of all our work is love: the love God shows his people everyday, the love of His sacrifice for all of us. "He has entrusted me with the leadership of such a precious crowd of good people, I hope to be a wor- thy shepherd in caring for His peo- ple," he said. With characteristic humility, Sci- cluna stressed that he understood that his duty was to take care and sustain the people of this church, who were entrusted to him for only a brief time. "To be a shepherd means to care, nurture, feed, maintain, to comfort, and guide. This today becomes my duty and calling. I want to do this with words that inspire and by set- ting a leading example, above all. I want to do this with love and a spirit of kindness with every member of the flock, and when necessary, with the crosier when facing the wolf," Scicluna said in a supplication to Je- sus Christ during his homily. "The lambs and the sheep are not mine but yours, my Lord. You en- trust them to me and I have to be accountable to you. Be with me so that they see You in me, so that I am no obstacle but of help and comfort to them." Scicluna looked forward to col- laborating with the Bishop of Gozo and Archbishop emeritus Cremona, who he said, was a good example to follow, a declaration that was met with enthusiastic applause. Scicluna concluded by praising the work, not just of members of the clergy, but also of missionaries and ordinary people who cherish their families and do their duties while always following the example of Christ. Additional writing and editing by Roger Mifsud the wolf with the crosier' shepherd to Maltese Scicluna's strategy is 'made in Rome' FR COLIN APAP THOSE who expected an elec- toral roadmap had, instead, a prayer to map his values. He proved himself, no one else; com- parisons don't work. His values and priorities are clearly expressed: Christ-centred, not a political strategy. He made it clear that he is 'shepherd' of Christ's 'flock' not his own flock. His total trust is based on God and not on any particular strat- egy. He showed gratitude to his fel- low Bishops which confirms that he is the Archbishop of both Mal- ta and Gozo. The value of unity is also expressed in his specifically mentioning his own priests with whom he wants to work, espe- cially those who were considered by some as 'outcasts'. His strategic vision is no longer a reactive church, licking its wounds like in a hospital after the war, as Pope Francis' metaphor goes, but a proactive church ready even to go after the 'wolf', in spite of the 'Maltese Mafia'. His sense of hu- mour will continue to be his char- acteristic – which he will contin- ue to use to deliver his agenda. His work is based on relation- ships: besides his priests, lay peo- ple especially women would no longer be considered as second hand citizens. This very positive Prayer will be put to the test of time: bejn il-kliem u l-fatti hemm bahar jik- kumbatti… He asked Christ to be "always with him"– he needs Him as much as all of us to prove to him that he is not alone… Like Pope Francis he is ready for work, and on a fast-track: his strategy is made in Rome. Fr Colin Apap PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOCITY