Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca passed away yesterday morning, aged 87. Mgr Mercieca had big boots to fill after he was appointed Archbishop of Malta in 1976, to succeed the fiery and equally influential Archbishop Michael Gonzi.

But let us first talk about Mgr Mercieca the man. He was described by all those who had dealings with him, whether personal or work related, as a humble man with a big heart. He also had an iron will, but more about that later.

Mgr Mercieca stood down as Archbishop of Malta in 2003 and then retired in 2006. Mgr Mercieca became Archbishop of Malta when this country was a very different place, a very different place and a very different era.

Most people who knew him personally said that his vocation to the priesthood always came first and foremost and that he would sacrifice everything to tend to the needs of his flock. Though he became the leader of an institution, he still remained human and this was very much evidenced by the testimony of Alfred Sant, who said that though his government of 96 and 98 clashed with the Church on the issue of studying divorce, Mgr Mercieca was always fair and recognised that the state had its obligations too.

What is more heart warming, however, is that Mgr Mercieca took the time to pay personal visits to Dr Sant when he was very ill in hospital, that much is a measure of the man. But he was also very strong.

Mgr Mercieca and former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff clashed on more than one occasion in the 1980s. Mr Mintoff later confided in President Emeritus that Mgr Mercieca was a “very good priest and it is difficult to wage war upon him’”. While the two clashed on the issue of Church schools and Church property, he was always open to dialogue and sought to find a solution for the common good without compromising his principles.

In his later years as head of the flock, Mgr Mercieca was faced with a situation that many others before him had faced, in that more and more people were finding the Church and Catholic religion to be less relevant in the modern age of secularism and materialism.

He sought to do what he could, until he handed over the reins to Mgr. Paul Cremona, another man of the cloth who had nothing but praise for Mgr Mercieca. It is easy for the younger generations to sometimes judge characters, but it is unfair to do so without putting matters into context.

Mgr Mercieca did what he thought was best for Maltese society, as well as the many individuals who he came across who needed help or guidance.

He was a man who gave his all to his flock, making sacrifices for the good of others. He as a servant of God, but he was also a servant to Malta. He will by lying in state today at St John’s Co-Cathedral until noon and his funeral will be held at 4pm. May he rest in peace.