Paul Cremona
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. is the 11th Archbishop of Malta and a Dominican
friar. In Maltese his full name and style is: Monsinjur Pietru Pawlu Cremona. He was ordained
to the episcopate and installed as Archbishop of Malta on 26 January 2007, the day after his 61st birthday.
on 25 January 1946 to Joseph and Josephine (née Cauchi). He has two siblings: an elder brother and a younger sister, he also has two second cousins both from Zabbar, Malta. Cremona was educated at the Montesseori School in Valletta and at the Lyceum in Ħamrun.
. Cremona was ordained as priest on March 22, 1969.
After his priestly ordination, then-Fr Cremona was sent to follow higher studies in Moral Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome where, in 1973, he graduated Doctor in Theology (STD) presenting the thesis The Concept of Peace in Pope John XXIII.
He was elected Prior of Our Lady of the Grotto, Rabat in 1974, a position he held twice from: 1974-1980 and 1997-2003. He was Dominican Prior Provincial of Malta from 1981 to 1989.
In 1989 Fr Cremona was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima
Parish in Gwardamanġa, Pietà
where he served until 1993; he then became responsible for the formation of Dominican novices and students at Rabat, an office he again held between 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Cremona become Parish Priest of Jesus of Nazareth
in Sliema
.
Fr Cremona held other offices in the Archdiocese 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). In 2007 as Archbishop, Cremona was appointed Grand Prior (for Malta) of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem with the rank of Knight Grand Officer.
As Archbishop of Malta, he is a popular preacher for Lenten sermons, and is an author in theology
and spirituality
, including writings on the Creed and the Commandments. He also wrote some works with George Frendo OP, now Auxiliary Bishop of Tirana-Durrës, Albania.
The ordination took place on 26 January at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Valletta. The Mass with the rites of ordination was led by the outgoing Archbishop of Malta, Joseph Mercieca, who was the principal consecrator, assisted by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto and Bishop George Frendo OP.
When the nomination of Mgr Cremona was made public on 2 December 2006, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Felix del Blanco Priete announced to journalists and the Presbyterian council meeting at the Curia in Floriana
: "Pope John Paul II was received in Malta with unforgettable enthusiasm as 'the second [Saint] Paul'. Today as per mandate of Pope Benedict XVI the diocese is being entrusted to another Paul."
The new Archbishop invoked Bishop Saint Augustine: "For you I am a Bishop but with you I am a Christian."
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
friar. In Maltese his full name and style is: Monsinjur Pietru Pawlu Cremona. He was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
to the episcopate and installed as Archbishop of Malta on 26 January 2007, the day after his 61st birthday.
Family life
Paul Cremona was born in VallettaValletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
on 25 January 1946 to Joseph and Josephine (née Cauchi). He has two siblings: an elder brother and a younger sister, he also has two second cousins both from Zabbar, Malta. Cremona was educated at the Montesseori School in Valletta and at the Lyceum in Ħamrun.
Religious life and priesthood
In September 1962 he 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 at RabatRabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
. Cremona was ordained as priest on March 22, 1969.
After his priestly ordination, then-Fr Cremona was sent to follow higher studies in Moral Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome where, in 1973, he graduated Doctor in Theology (STD) presenting the thesis The Concept of Peace in Pope John XXIII.
He was elected Prior of Our Lady of the Grotto, Rabat in 1974, a position he held twice from: 1974-1980 and 1997-2003. He was Dominican Prior Provincial of Malta from 1981 to 1989.
In 1989 Fr Cremona was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fátima is a famous title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13...
Parish in Gwardamanġa, Pietà
Pietà, Malta
Tal-Pietà is a small town located on the outskirts of Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Tal-Pietà is the suburb next-closest to the capital after Floriana. Its name is derived from Italian and signifies "mercy".-Description:...
where he served until 1993; he then became responsible for the formation of Dominican novices and students at Rabat, an office he again held between 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Cremona become Parish Priest of Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
in Sliema
Sliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
.
Fr Cremona held other offices in the Archdiocese of Malta
Archdiocese of Malta
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in Malta. The former Diocese of Malta was elevated to archdiocese on January 1, 1944...
, 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). In 2007 as Archbishop, Cremona was appointed Grand Prior (for Malta) of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem with the rank of Knight Grand Officer.
As Archbishop of Malta, he is a popular preacher for Lenten sermons, and is an author in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
, including writings on the Creed and the Commandments. He also wrote some works with George Frendo OP, now Auxiliary Bishop of Tirana-Durrës, Albania.
Episcopal ordination
Paul Cremona was announced as the eleventh Archbishop of Malta on 2 December 2006.The ordination took place on 26 January at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Valletta. The Mass with the rites of ordination was led by the outgoing Archbishop of Malta, Joseph Mercieca, who was the principal consecrator, assisted by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto and Bishop George Frendo OP.
When the nomination of Mgr Cremona was made public on 2 December 2006, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Felix del Blanco Priete announced to journalists and the Presbyterian council meeting at the Curia in Floriana
Floriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
: "Pope John Paul II was received in Malta with unforgettable enthusiasm as 'the second [Saint] Paul'. Today as per mandate of Pope Benedict XVI the diocese is being entrusted to another Paul."
The new Archbishop invoked Bishop Saint Augustine: "For you I am a Bishop but with you I am a Christian."