MALTA
Malta Independent
Vatican press office tells The Malta Independent resignation of Archbishop still to be accepted
The Vatican Press office has said that the Church is still to accept the resignation offered by Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona this week.
Speaking to The Malta Independent after a press conference held this morning about Sunday’s ceremony to beatify Pope Paul VI, the Vatican’s press officer Father Federico Lombardi said that the Vatican is still to confirm its position on the matter.
The Curia has in the meantime scheduled a press conference for Saturday.
The Malta Independent learnt yesterday evening that the head of the Maltese Church has written to Pope Francis informing him of his decision to step down.
A scheduled pastoral visit to Qormi this week was cancelled by the Archbishop as speculation about his future grew.
It would be the first time that a bishop in Malta requests to step down before the formal age of retirement at 75 years. Mgr Cremona is 68 years old and became archbishop seven years ago.
The resignation comes in the wake of reports that the Church in Malta was demoralised and needed a new leader. Priests have also expressed the concern about what they called a leadership vacuum.
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