87-year-old Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca, a leader of the Maltese Catholic Church who played an influential role in the development of Maltese society, passed away at his Zejtun home yesterday morning.

His passing was mourned by all those who knew him, and his humility and care for others were praised by all those around him.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna stayed with Mgr Mercieca throughout his last night. He described him as “the father of the Maltese people”. “He was a humble man with a big heart”. He said that he remained friends with the former Archbishop.

The body Mgr Mercieca is lying in state at the St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Mourners can pay their respects from 9am onwards today. Funeral Mass will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4pm at St John’s Co-Cathedral before private burial at the Mdina Cathedral.

Speaking to the media after the body was taken to St John’s Co-Cathedral yesterday, current Archbishop Charles Scicluna thanked all those who expressed their condolences or sorrow at Mgr. Mercieca's passing. "He was a person of dialogue, intelligence and humility," said Mgr Scicluna. 

He continued: "He was the Archbishop that taught us that reason does not need force or violence. He lived with a spirit of reconciliation. He made dialogue between the Church and state possible," said Mgr Scicluna.

Archbishop Scicluna, visibly moved, led the cortege from Republic Street to the Co-Cathedral. Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona also attended.

A large crowd gathered to pay their respects while the Archbishop started to pray next to the body of Archbishop Emeritus Mercieca.

Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona spoke highly of Mgr Mercieca.

“He was very humble. Sometimes his moral strength was not seen by others due to his humility. He was a person who would not lead into confrontation with others, but was strong in his principles.

“He remained very close to church and myself and always loved the Church in Malta and Gozo”.

Common good as his top priority

Charles Buttigieg, Mgr Mercieca’s former public relations officer, described Mercieca as being first and foremost a priest. “He kept the common good as his top priority. He was ready to undertake every personal sacrifice to find a way to solve the problems of the time”.

Through his own initiative, Archbishop Mercieca sent a message to Dom Mintoff in order to try and find a solution, Mr Buttigieg said. The five points included that the Church was ready to hold discussions on its property, and points regarding the schools to be discussed. “Mintoff liked the idea, and in a few days, the road to discussions opened”.

He is a good priest – Mintoff told Ugo Mifsud Bonnici

President emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici was contacted by this newsroom yesterday, and recalled an opinion shared to him by former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff on the Archbishop emeritus. “He told me – ‘he is a very good priest, and it is difficult to wage war upon him’”.

Describing the former Archbishop, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said he was a “saintly man, endowed with great prudence. He was a seasoned sailor in turbulent seas, and he managed to bring the ship home into port”.

Mercieca’s brother, Dun Gwann Mercieca, recalled that Mgr Mercieca always helped others wherever he could, without ever thinking about himself. This sentiment was echoed by others who knew him.

One always felt at ease when around him, President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami explained. “It’s a pity we lost him”.

He was instrumental at a crucial time - President

President Marie Louise Coleiro expressed her regret in a statement, saying that Mgr Mercieca was instrumental at a crucial time for the Church and State in Malta.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, Mrs Coleiro Preca said Mgr. Merieca was a catalyst in bringing peace between the Church and the Malta Labour Party. “He carried out his duties well not only as the head of the Church in Malta but also as a citizen.” Mons. Mercieca, she said, had always acted in an able and dignified manner. 

Both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition expressed their condolences. The Prime Minister said that Mgr Mercieca Archbishop Emeritus Mercieca led the Maltese church at delicate juncture and was bridge-builder in society. “I deeply value his contribution”. Dr Busuttil expressed his sorrow at the news, and described him as “a standard bearer of the Church in Malta in difficult times”.

A very humble person

President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami said that Archbishop emeritus Mercieca was a very humble person. One felt very much at ease when around him, when speaking with him. I met him very many years ago when he became Archbishop. It’s a pity we lost him, but everyone has to go”.

MEP Alfred Sant described Mgr Mercieca as a cordial, cautious and correct person who chose prudence in the way of doing things.

“I always appreciated the frankness with which he spoke to me, even if he tried not to offend me in any way with his words and actions”.

“In 1997, before government announced a study about divorce and the family in Malta, I visited him personally and face to face explained our plans. He showed me that he wasn’t pleased. He recommended prudence but accepted that government had every right to legislate what was being recommened at that time, when on the social front, things were different from today”.

“I appreciated his two visits at hospital when I was being operated at Mater Dei Hospital. In his humility, Mgr Mercieca would, on more than one occasion, make private visits to patients at different hospitals”.

St Julian’s Parish priest Claude Portelli, was ordained by Archbishop Mercieca nearly 14 years ago. He described him as – “a spiritual father, a humble man and a faithful shepherd of the church in Malta.

Three days of mourning

The Curia issued a statement to announce the details leading up to the funeral, to be held tomorrow (Wednesday).

Today, people can pay their respects from 9am to 8pm, with a prayer service led by Archbishop Scicluna to start at 6pm.

On Wednesday, people can pay their respects between 9am and noon. Funeral Mass will start at 4pm, followed by private burial at the Mdina Cathedral.

The government has also ordered three days of national mourning as a sign of respect.