Remembering a beloved shepherd − Archbishop Paul Cremona

Pawlu Cremona: Ħejju t-Triq għall-Mulej  

Conversations with Kenneth Vella

published by Kite Publications, 2025

In the Book of Proverbs 11:2, one comes across the following words: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” It is these very words to come to my mind as I read Kenneth Vella’s conversations with the late archbishop of Malta, Mgr Pawlu Cremona O.P. now published in book form by Kite Group Publications. 

Ħejju t-Triq għall-Mulej translated into English as ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’ is a phrase from Isaiah 40:3, often associated with John the Baptist’s call for repentance. 

When a priest is chosen to be ordained to the episcopate, he is bound to choose a motto which incarnates his spiritual and pastoral vision, and this is usually taken from Holy Scripture. 

The late archbishop Cremona, who was highly qualified in sacred theology, chose these words to enlighten him as he sought to lead the Church in Malta.

However, his were turbulent times indeed. Probably, when chosen to lead the archdiocese, he was not even entirely aware of the difficulties he was about to face. 

The book's cover

From the humble family lifestyle of one among three siblings born and bred in Malta’s capital city to his newly found vocation as a member of the Order of Preachers to his eventual installation as the fifth archbishop of Malta, the book makes for interesting reading. 

The publication is a true reflection of Cremona’s earthly pilgrimage throughout which he always seeks to live up to his calling as a man of God and a man of the people.

The conversations bring into the limelight, his reality as an authentic pastor with the heart of a shepherd, a bishop who remains faithful to his original religious calling without neglecting his role as spiritual father to his fellow priests. It is no secret that as his episcopate unfolded, Cremona found it difficult to bear the weight of his role in a fast-changing Malta. 

Kind, gentle and understanding, it was both humility and meekness that radiate from his speeches and actions not only during his eight-year period as archbishop but throughout his entire lifetime.  Future biographers might be interested to delve deeper into his life and seek to study the similarities between his personality and that of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI; both men came across unsurmountable difficulties as they tried to work out their respective ministries. 

Cremona’s conversations with Kenneth Vella reveal a man of evocative characteristics. A general love for the people, a sense of respect and awe towards his fellow bishops – reflected in the way he speaks about the late archbishop Mgr Ġużeppi Mercieca and the late Mgr Annetto Depasquale – as well as an aura of simplicity and childlike modesty speak to the reader as one turns the pages of this beautifully written book presented to us by Kite Group. 

I would not be surprised if at some point, the archdiocese decides to consider opening the cause of canonisation for this much beloved shepherd who left this world in an aura of sanctity.

This book is a spiritual testament in as much as it shows how true were Archbishop Charles Scicluna’s words about him when he describes him as God’s gift to the Maltese Church, a gift that was at times taken for granted.  Cremona was a man of God who was loved by one and all; he will be remembered as man who understood too well the meaning of human compassion.

Copies of the book can be obtained via the publishing house’ website on kitegroup.com.mt/.