It’s probably just a mistake. But it could also be the shape of things to come.
On the Vatican Radio website, which prides itself as being the voice of the Pope and of the Church in dialogue with the world, Apostolic Administrator Mgr Charles Scicluna is described as “Archbishop”.
The description is both in the headline as well as in the story.
(The headline of the story on Vatican Radio)
Mgr Scicluna, who this week was named as the president of the Special College for the Examination of Appeals to the Ordinary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is not Malta’s Archbishop.
Although, right now, he is technically speaking the leader of the Maltese church, he does not carry the title of Archbishop.
(The text of the story on Vatican Radio)
He is, of course, in the running for the post. But no decision has as yet been taken. This week, The Malta Independent reported that Dr Joseph Spiteri is also a favourite for the position.
Mgr Scicluna himself made it clear that his appointment at the Vatican does not in any way impinge on the possibility that he is named Archbishop. The two roles are compatible, he said.