MALTA
Malta Today

Miriam Dalli 18 October 2014

Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona’s first indication that he should step down as leader of the Maltese Church was two years ago, when he “succumbed to exhaustion” and had to retire to Gozo for a few weeks.

Admitting that the divorce referendum had been a most trying period for the Church, Cremona said the Maltese Archdiocese had “put much effort in the campaign, but we all know the results”.

Cremona together with Apostolic Nuncio Aldo Cavalli and newly-appointed Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Charles Scicluna, addressed a press conference at the Curia during which Cremona’s resignation was made official.

The Apostolic Nuncio confirmed that Pope Francis accepted Cremona’s resignation, effective as from today at noon. His successor should be appointed within three to five months.