Thirty years after Mgr Joseph Mercieca took over the leadership of the Maltese Church, the Maltese population yesterday witnessed the handing over of the reigns to his successor, Archbishop Paul Cremona.

He was ordained bishop during the three-hour-long ceremony at the St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, which was packed with around 500 priests, ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, members of the judiciary, heads of government departments and other dignitaries.

President Edward Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Mrs Gonzi as well as Opposition Leader Alfred Sant were among those present.

Archbishop Cremona was ordained by Archbishop Emeritus Mercieca, assisted by Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Hole See to Malta, and Bishop Gorg Frendo, the Auxiliary Bishop of Tirana, in Albania.

During the Episcopal Ordination, Archbishop Cremona was asked a series of questions on whether he was prepared to take over such a position. Archbishop Cremona then lay down on the ground while the litany was sung. The 13 bishops taking part in the ceremony, one by one, laid their hands on Archbishop Cremona after which he was anointed and then given the Book of Gospels, the ring was placed on his finger and had the mitre placed on his head.

Finally, Archbishop Mercieca gave Archbishop Cremona the pastoral staff. The people present inside the cathedral burst into thunderous applause as soon Archbishop Cremona was ordained and the roar increased when Archbishop Emeritus Mercieca led Malta’s new Archbishop to the cathedra on the left hand side of the main altar.

From there, Archbishop Cremona turned to the congregation to acknowledge their applause, with the cathedral erupting in further applause. Even the people outside the Cathedral could be heard applauding and their clapping, on some occasions, started off a similar reaction within the cathedral.

Archbishop Cremona then presided over the Liturgy of the Eucharist as Gozo Bishop Mario Grech looked on. Archbishop Cremona’s parents, Joseph and Josephine - who were both proudly assisting to the ordination of their son – were among members of Archbishop Cremona’s family who presented the Mass offerings.

When the Mass ended, Archbishop Cremona walked outside the Cathedral to greet the people following the historic event outside before walking back into the Cathedral to deliver his first speech in his new role.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, before going to the Cathedral for his ordination, Archbishop Cremona was met by a sizeable crowd in Merchants Street before going to the Basilica of Our Lady of Safe Havens and St Dominic in Valletta. He made his way through the crowd with the help of the police and was welcomed by the Dominican Provincial Fr Paul Gatt.

After blessing the congregation with Holy Water, Archbishop Cremona was led to the Baptismal Font were he signed a parchment which will be added to the parish’s baptismal register which records the his own baptism 61 years ago.

Afterwards, Archbishop Cremona retreated in the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament for prayers, after which he sat on the side of the heavily ornamented altar for the customary beginning of vespers: O God, reach forth to my aid.

Following the chanting of the evening vespers, the new archbishop bid farewell to his Dominican brethren and plunged into the large crowd, which had gathered outside.

Mgr Cremona, dressed in a pontifical velvet biretta and cassock, and surplice, rode on an open top car and was driven up Merchants Street, cheered by the crowd, many of whom threw flowers from the balconies.

He was preceded by a motorcade while the King’s Own Band marched behind him. Along Merchants Street, Neo-Catechumenals gave Mgr Cremona two doves to set free. The cortege drove up to Castille Place and down Girolamo Cassar Avenue where he was met by the police cavalry which escorted him down Republic Street, followed by the La Valette Band’s festive marches. Valletta’s main thoroughfare was thronged with people, who chanted “Viva l-Arcisqof taghna” and “Pawlu, Pawlu” as Mgr Cremona waved to one and all, always with his now trademark smile.

At the Co-Cathedral’s door, Mgr Cremona was given a crucifix by Archdeacon Mgr Philip Calleja and then blessed the crowd – and himself – with Holy Water, before walking into the Cathedral for the ordination ceremony.

Among those present in the streets of Valletta was Archbishop Cremona’s childhood friend, Joe Huber, who spoke to The Malta Independent about memories of their younger days when they “used to play football and swim together”.

“We even went to private lessons at his late uncle Oscar, then an assistant head teacher, and made it to the Lyceum together. He has always been a charming man with that smile across his face.”

That same smile has captivated a lot of people, among whom Simone Attard, who described it as a “genuine smile that has the power to attract people”.

Vincent Schiavone described the atmosphere as “very joyous”, while comparing the occasion with late Pope John II’s visits to Malta. He added “Malta very much needs someone that is close to the people, especially to the youth. This will lead to an increase in faith”.

This thought was corroborated by 27-year old chorister Stephen Mifsud, who said he hoped the archbishop would remain close to the young. He confessed that he was deeply moved by the ceremony.

Usher Joseph Miruzzi said he was honoured to be serving in such a significant ceremony. He said the 170-strong team of ushers have been selected from parishes around Malta and have been trained for a number of weeks.

Antonio Bartolo, another chorister of the Collegium Musicum, who took on the job of animating the celebration under the St John’s Square tent, said the congregation participated wholeheartedly in great devotion and enthusiasm.

After the ceremony, Mgr Cremona was greeted by the thousands of people who had watched the event on big screens both in St John’s Square and St George’s Square.