Mgr Charles Scicluna

A reform of the Curia is high on Archbishop-elect Charles Scicluna's to do list, and he is not excluding a change in personnel.

Speaking during a news conference at the Curia in Floriana during which he was officially named Malta’s next Archbishop, Mgr Scicluna said expert reports had been drafted on a review of the Maltese Church's top personnel and he would be looking into them.

He said he wanted to have youth around him but also would not disregard experience and those who had already done so much to help the church in Malta.

The Archbishop said he had already been thinking very deeply about this.
"I wouldn't call them sleepless nights but my sleep hasn't been as peaceful as it had been. The Curia needs restructuring," he said.

He said he was "worried" about the church's annual €500,000 deficit and said a reform would introduce renewed efficiency.

Asked how he planned to inject new vitality into the church leadership, Mgr Scicluna said the best way to lead was to be himself.

"You will get Charles Scicluna and God help me," he said, sparking another round of applause.

The cheering continued as he thanked his predecessor Paul Cremona and said he would be living with his parents while the church palaces would become "open houses".

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and the Labour Party congratulated Mgr Scicluna on his appointment.

Congratulations were also expressed by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Malta, whose president, Laiq Ahmed Atif, said he hoped and prayed that the new Archbishop would use his influence to develop tolerance and harmony between people of different faiths and ideologies.

"There is a great need to join together upon our common teachings and values. Rather than increase division, the world desperately needs unity and compassion.

"We also extend our cooperation to the new Archbishop in bringing people together towards peace, reconciliation and mutual understanding."