When it had been announced that Bishop Mario Grech was to relinquish the title of head of the diocese of Gozo to become the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops in September this year – after having spent one year “in training” as pro-secretary general – it was easy to anticipate that the next step for him was the elevation to the post of a cardinal.
Getting such a prestigious appointment at the Vatican – the Synod of Bishops is an advisory body for the pope – was a move in that direction. After all, his predecessor, Lorenzo Baldisseri, was a cardinal too and so it was almost a foregone conclusion that Grech sooner or later would have been named a Prince of the Church too.
The announcement that Bishop Grech will move from wearing purple, the colour usually associated with bishops, to red, the colour associated with cardinals, arrived last Sunday. Pope Francis said that Grech will be one of 13 bishops to be named a cardinal officially on 28 November in a ceremony that will be held at the Vatican. Nine of them, including Grech, will be cardinal electors, meaning that they will take part in an eventual conclave to elect the next pope.
It is a proud moment for all the nation and, needless to say, all the major institutions starting off from the presidency were quick to issue a statement to congratulate Grech. It is a notable appointment for the person, but also for the whole country. Suffice it to say that in 2,000 years of Catholicism in Malta, it will happen only for the third time.
Before him, Fabrizio Sceberras Testaferrata was the first Maltese to be created a cardinal, in the 19th century, and he had taken part in the election of three popes. More recently, Prospero Grech was also named a cardinal, but his elevation came after he had reached his 80th birthday, and as such was ineligible to vote in the election that saw Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio become Pope Francis.
In the eyes of the Vatican and the rest of the world, he will become the third Maltese to hold such a title. Official statements which were picked up by the international media refer to Grech as being “Maltese”. For us, of course, he will be the first Gozitan to hold the title and, still aged 63, he is likely to participate in at least one papal election.
As a cardinal, Grech will have much more influence in the workings of the Church, not only when it comes to the eventual election of a pope. Cardinals are known to have a close relationship with the pope – some more than others – offering them the possibility to provide advice to the pontiff about matters of great importance to the Church.
As Grech also carries the responsibility as secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, his power within the structures of the Church will become even wider when he becomes a cardinal.
During his time as bishop, Grech may have not pleased one and all with what he said. What we do hope is that his wisdom and experience will enable him to contribute to a Church that is more understanding and more open to people’s needs.