Jesus did give Caesar what was due to Caesar, however this did not bar him from conveying his own message, the Archbishop, Mgr Paul Cremona OP, yesterday told students and staff during a visit to the University of Malta.

The Archbishop said the Church did not want to impose its views on society; however, “a pluralist society must do its part and accept the Church”.

Referring to the recent Church census that showed that 53 per cent of the Maltese participated in Sunday Mass, Mgr Cremona said that had the apostles conducted a similar exercise during their time, the result would have discouraged them.

The Archbishop said the results should not instil fear but a sense of challenge.

He stressed that the Church would continue preaching its values. “It is up to the people to accept our message,” said Mgr Cremona, “however the Church is not going to change its message to suit society. Cultures come and go; Christianity has been here for the past 2,000 years.”

Mgr Cremona said today’s society resembled that of the Romans.

If Christ had deemed that particular society to be the best, he would have told his disciples to do as the Romans did.

The Archbishop invited Christians to get used to the idea that the Church was not what it used to be 70 years ago, when anything it said was obeyed unconditionally. “They should stop being shocked at what people say, as realities have changed,” he said, adding that the new scenario posed a challenge to make a fresh start.

Mgr Cremona said that dialogue was a concept based on love and respect. “One engages in dialogue because one has something to say, is ready to listen and is never closed to new ideas.” He recounted how when in Sudan, missionary nuns would not coerce locals to baptism, but through their love and dedication, tried to persuade the populace that their work was inspired by Jesus Christ. For those who did not believe, faith must be passed on through love.

The Archbishop also spoke about the Church’s history, highlighting the main political events. He explained how Jesus had had the chance of seizing political power on Palm Sunday, however he refused to take the opportunity because He gained the power that mattered most to God on the Cross.

Mgr Cremona spoke about the period in which the pope was the ruler of the papal states, saying that temporal powers weakened the Church’s spiritual mission. The best thing that happened to the Church was the Risorgimento and the subsequent unification of Italy, when the papacy lost its states and returned to its origins.

Mgr Cremona’s visit started at 8:30am when he was welcomed by the Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, University Chaplain Fr Jimmy Bartolo SJ, the Jesuit Provincial, Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ and members of the Chaplaincy Council and teams. The formal and somewhat tepid welcome, due undoubtedly to the rather unearthly hour by university student standards, grew in warmth at every department the Archbishop visited.

After a brief moment of prayer at the University Chapel, the Archbishop proceeded to a short meeting with the Rector and senior officials of the University. They presented him with a silver medallion with the University emblem.

He then greeted the administration building staff, and the Estate and Works division staff who donated to him a wooden lectern and candlesticks which they had crafted themselves.

On the way to the Faculty of Theology, Mgr Cremona met the children and staff of the university’s playschool. At the faculty, he met students, the majority of whom are seminarians and already know him, given his former role as Spiritual Director of the Seminary. The Dean, Rev. Prof. George Grima, presented him with three volumes on pastoral counselling. Afterwards, he met a number of students from different organisations including Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU).

Later, the Archbishop was given a warm welcome by students and lecturers in Sir Temi Zammit Hall.

University chancellor Prof. John Rizzo Naudi praised Mgr Cremona’s academic qualifications, “yet his best qualification is his zeal in spreading the Good News.” He also recalled one of the Archbishop’s very first speeches after his nomination, in which he declared that he was all for building bridges.

KSU president David Herrera spoke about individualism and how generosity has been relegated to pecuniary donations. He enquired whether society was moving away from God. “In this respect, your presence at university fills us with hope and courage,” Mr Herrera said. A few questions from the students and staff followed.

The last event of the visit was the Ash Wednesday Mass starting the Lenten season, celebrated at the University Chapel. Many of the priests lecturing at the University concelebrated.

The congregation also made a collection which they donated to the Archbishop for him to use for causes he deemed most needy. Afterwards, Mgr Cremona planted an olive tree near the Chapel and a number of pigeons were released.

The Archbishop later lunched with the Jesuit community at Dar P. Manwel Magri SJ.