Archbishop Joseph Mercieca celebrated his 32nd year of his episcopal ordination at St John’s co-cathedral on Friday.
In his message to those present, Archbishop Mercieca mentioned the recent Curia census which revealed Sunday mass attendance statistics. While such an attendance still ranks better than that in other countries, Archbishop Merceica expressed his worry about the decrease in attendance.
“The census results have a message for us members of the Church, lay persons, the religious and priests. However I feel that the most important message is addressed to us priests,” Archbishop Mercieca said, “We must do an examination of our conscience to recognize our role as priests.”
Archbishop Joseph Mercieca also expressed his concern about the lack of prayer due to some priests taking up more duties.
His Excellency also said that through the census, some suggested that mass should be made more attractive for people to follow.
“The intention is good,” Archbishop Mercieca said, “However at times certain tentatives are replaced by aberrations. People who do this do not help the church.”
Back in April, Archbishop Mons. Joseph Mercieca had stated that he was willing to make way for a new Bishop. His Excellency Mons. Joseph Mercieca had submitted his resignation briefly after turning 75 in 2003.
Meanwhile, in July Archbishop Joseph Mercieca hinted that the appointment of his successor was near.
According to Kulħadd the Vatican had already told the Curia that Malta’s next Archbishop will be Mgr. Lawrence Gatt. The other nominnes are Mgr. Charles Scicluna who works in the Roman Curia and Fr. George Frendo who was recently appointed Auxiliary bishop of Tirana-Durres in Albania.
See also:
Mgr. Gatt favourite for Archbishop
By MaltaMedia News - Jul 30, 2006, 18:51 CET
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