During the homily of the farewell mass for the 30 years as Malta 's Archbishop, Mgr. Joseph Mercieca thanked everyone who have helped him in many ways during the past 30 years serving as Malta ’s spiritual shepherd. With great humility he also asked forgiveness for anything that could not have been appropriate, for anything he did not do; and for all of his actions that might have hurt someone.

“We are all human and we all have weaknesses and human fragility in us. We all can err”, he added. He continued to say that the focal point of our conversion is found exactly in our capacity to ask for forgiveness and to forgive.

The mass was celebrated on Thursday evening at 18:30CET at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta .

Archbishop Mercieca said that since the beginning of his episcopate, he felt that his motto should be “Ilkoll Ahwa fi Kristu” (All brothers within Christ).

When speaking about the new Archbishop Cremona, he referred to him as a gift given by God and the Pope to Malta ’s Church during a time of new challenges. Mons Mercieca said that this is a new and beautiful moment for Malta ’s Church and the Maltese people. Archbishop Joseph Mercieca’s post will be taken up by Archbishop-elect Mons . Pawl Cremona , who will be ordained on the 26th January 2007 .

Meanwhile also on Thursday evening, Malta 's highest authorities showed their gratitude and greeted Mons . Archbishop Guzeppi Mercieca at the end of his episcopate.

President Edward Fenech Adami said that since during the past years throughout Mons . Mercieca’s episcopate he has served the Maltese public in the highest constitutional ranks of Malta , he can truly be a witness to his prudence, serenity and determination during difficult times and during the good times. He added that his episcopate was marked with changing and challenging times and that the Maltese public is thankful for all his hard work.

In turn, the Malta Labour Party (MLP) also expressed its respect and thanked Archbishop Mercieca for simplicity and for guiding the Maltese spiritually during the past 30 years.

The mass was open to all the public and a tent was set up outside the Co-Cathedral and more chairs were placed inside. Monitors were installed for people to be able to follow the event from certain spots within the Co-Cathedral. Screens were also placed outside the church. The mass was televised by the local television stations.