A few days after being ordained as Malta’s new Archbishop, Mgr Paul Cremona used yet another medium to spread the message of God’s love and to communicate with the faithful – the Church’s own radio station, RTK.

Mgr Cremona will be on air once a month on this station as part of his mission to reach the people who cannot reach him, confirming his propensity to make use of the media to the maximum.

Sporting his trademark smile – although listeners could not see him – Mgr Cremona took a number of phone-calls from well-wishers and from those who wanted the Church to be closer to its flock.

The interview, conducted by radio presenter Tonio Bonello, was at one point interrupted by a call Archbishop Cremona received on his mobile phone. Embarrassed and flustered, Mgr Cremona apologised for forgetting to switch off his mobile and handed it over to a nearby person.

Replying to a question on what could encourage youths to attend Mass, Mgr Cremona challenged all youths to look beyond what affects them personally and encouraged them to look into the depths of the ceremony and what is behind it.

“Unfortunately I can’t reach all those who are spiritually distant from the Church. However, they can be reached by their friends and family,” he said. “Even though the homily might not be the most interesting thing you are listening to, try and look beyond it – after all the most important thing is that you listen to the Gospel.”

Mgr Cremona thanked his parents for his upbringing and for instilling in him Christian values.

“When the news of my nomination was released, Mgr Mario Grech’s parents phoned mine immediately to congratulate them,” he said. “I really appreciated the gesture – they wanted to share the joy with my parents.”

Mgr Cremona spoke about the importance of prayer.

“The Church grows through prayer – prayer gives God the strength to do good in the world,” he said.

“Both God and the devil cannot enter our lives unless we open our hearts to them. Through prayer we give God the permission and means to enter our lives.”

All those who called in told the new archbishop that they remembered him in their prayers and told him to keep on smiling.

One man called and told Mgr Cremona that he was once a lost sheep but now returned to the flock. He requested Mgr Cremona to celebrate a Mass at the cemetery for all those who were excommunicated because they voted for a particular political party or read a particular newspaper.

“I had lost faith but now I have returned to the Church. I feel that it is important for you to call out to the others,” he said.

Mgr Cremona told the listener that he was glad that he had re-embraced the Church and told him to share his happiness with his friends.

Another woman called and told Mgr Cremona that she felt great joy last Friday during the ordination ceremony.

“I was so proud of you and I can imagine just how proud your parents were that night too,” she said.

She added that Malta is still a deeply Catholic country and that these values are embedded deeply in Maltese culture.

Mgr Cremona also thanked all journalists who followed him during all the various events last week. “Journalists help pass on these Christian values that form part of our Maltese roots,” said Mgr Cremona.

The archbishop, who was very attentive all throughout and had kind words for everyone, spoke about the importance of Christian love.

“We are not loving as Jesus taught us to. You do not love only when it is easy to love but you must love unconditionally,” he said.

“You must take a decision not to let yourself be affected by outside circumstances that will harden your heart against love or other people,” said Mgr Cremona.

He explained that he went through a similar experience years ago but started to say a short prayer whenever he gets angry.

“I pray to the Lord and say Lord, purge my anger (Mulej, ma rridx rabja). It is of no use trying to justify your anger – just say a short prayer and try to love your neighbour,” said Mgr Cremona.

Christians have to believe that man is made in God’s image before they learn to love unconditionally – it is a leap of faith, he explained.

Mgr Cremona yesterday also spoke about his visit to the Corradino Correctional Facility, where he met the inmates.

“I told them that they still have God’s love inside their hearts and urged them to invest and learn during their difficult stay,” he said.

Most of the listeners complimented the archbishop on his warm and friendly smile. “I have had this smile for many, many years now,” he said with a laugh.

“Try to keep in mind a saying by Pope John XXIII – everyone has a right to a smile. If you are having a bad day or are angry, why should you burden someone else with your mood?” queried Mgr Cremona.

Another listener called and asked Archbishop Cremona to bring back the religious spirit to the village feasts.

Mgr Cremona explained that village feasts are part of Maltese tradition and appealed to the public to go back to the roots of the feasts.

“The feasts came about to be because a number of Christians wanted to express their faith in the Church. Feasts are there to bring people closer to Christ,” he said.

It is important that the feasts are purified from all that serves as a deterrent to the original concept, said Mgr Cremona.

One listener asked the Archbishop to tell all the nuns and priests not to vote. However, Mgr Cremona carefully explained that he cannot order them not to vote.

“They have a duty to vote but it is important that they do not become involved in politics,” he said.

The last listener was a woman who told Mgr Cremona that she was suffering because someone close to her was killed.

In his gentle and heartfelt reply, Mgr Cremona told the woman to think of Mary, the mother of God, who had suffered greatly because her son was killed.

“Although it is very difficult to provide you with a physical consolation for your loss, it will be a spiritual consolation for you to think of Our Lady who went through the same experience,” he said.