On hearing the news of Archbishop Paul Cremona's resignation, I was deeply shocked like so many others. In a press conference, Mgr Cremona said he was resigning for health reasons.

Sad as it is, the Archbishop considered, in his conscience, that it was time for him to go. Nevertheless, he will be greatly remembered for the human and Christian values he generously displayed to others. It was beautiful that the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Aldo Cavalli, commented that Pope Francis showed his heartfelt appreciation for Archbishop Cremona's human warmth and spiritual closeness to the people.

Throughout the turbulent years of his Episcopal ministry, Mgr Cremona was certainly a gift of God's love for the people he served so devotedly.

When I think of him, I immediately remember the homily which Pope Francis delivered last September. On that day, the Pope said: "Closeness and compassion: this is how the Lord visits His people. And when we want to proclaim the Gospel, to bring forth the word of Jesus, this is the path." The Bishop of Rome continued his reflection by highlighting the fact that beautiful homilies are useless and mere vanity if the pastor is not close to the people, if the pastor does not suffer with the people. In fact, how can he give hope?

But for a bishop, priest or deacon to give hope, he has to strip himself of earthly vanities and prestige, roll up his sleeves and accompany the people entrusted to his care by God. Speaking of Jesus, the model of any Church minister, the Pope said: "He was close to the people. A close God who is able to understand the hearts of the people, the heart of His people. Then he sees that procession, and the Lord drew near. God visits His people in the midst of his people, and draws near to them. Proximity. This is how God works. Then there is an expression that is often repeated in the Bible: 'The Lord was moved with great compassion'. The same compassion which, the Gospel says, that moved Him when he saw so many people like sheep without a shepherd. When God visits His people, He is close to them, He draws near to them and is moved by compassion: He is filled with compassion."

Archbishop Emeritus Paul Cremona is, for me, a living and faithful icon of what it means to be a humble shepherd. A shepherd who loves sacrificially the flock he is called to care for. His tender pastoral solicitude made him kneel down for long periods of time before the Eucharistic Jesus to offer him His people on the altar of prayer. Mgr Cremona took seriously Pope Francis' advice given to the Calabrian diocesan priests of Cassano all'Jonio on 21 June this year. In their packed diocesan Cathedral, Pope Francis told them: "There is nothing more beautiful for man than this, isn't that true?

"When we priests are before the tabernacle, and we pause a moment there, in silence, then we feel Jesus' look again on us, and this look renews us, it reanimates us..."

It was surely Jesus' constant compassionate and understanding look which inspired Mgr Cremona to keep meeting people wherever they were.

Mgr Cremona's humble attitude amply showed how much he cherished Pope Francis' ardent desire that Church ministers live their consecration generously. At the 2013 Chrism Mass homily, the Holy Father said that for us, Church minsters, to be shepherds means "living with 'the odour of the sheep'". Then he put to us this practical and pastoral challenge: "Be shepherds, with the 'odour of sheep', make it real, as shepherds among your flock, fishers of men." While joining my fellow Christian brethren and brother priests in prayer so that God will grant us an Archbishop deeply steeped in good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues, I would like to thank, once more, Archbishop Emeritus Mgr Paul Cremona for the generous service he gave us!

St Faustina wrote: "He who wants to learn true humility should reflect on the Passion of Jesus." Archbishop Cremona lived Christ's passion heroically! Thank you Paul!

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

Paola