4 comments so far.Mgr Charles Scicluna appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Malta
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The Malta Diocese announced today that The Holy Father Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Charles J. Scicluna as Auxiliary Bishop of Malta nominating him Titular Bishop of San Leone. As Auxiliary Bishop, His Lordship Monsignor Scicluna, 53, will be called to be the closest collaborator and advisor of His Grace Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. with leadership responsibilities in the Curia and in diocesan pastoral ministry.
On his Episcopal ordination on 24 November 2012, Monsignor Scicluna will become a member of the Maltese Episcopal Conference alongside the Archbishop and the Bishop of Gozo, His Lordship Monsignor Mario Grech.
Canadian-born Monsignor Scicluna was educated in Malta and graduated Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 1984. He was ordained priest in 1986 by now Emeritus Archbishop, His Grace Monsignor Joseph Mercieca. Monsignor Scicluna graduated Doctor in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, in 1991 and then served the Church in Malta on the Metropolitan Tribunal and in a number of parishes, including his home parish of Lija.
For the last 17 years he has served the Universal Church, working in the Vatican on the most challenging of cases under the leadership of Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Monsignor Scicluna is a renowned expert in Canon Law, highly respected among his peers around the world for his lecturing skills and his expertise in child protection issues. He is well loved for his amiable personality and for his sense of fairness.
The Maltese public would remember his work in favour of the canonization of Saint George Preca between 1996 and 2007. The Holy Father has now called Monsignor Scicluna to the college of bishops with the mission to work for the Church in Malta under the leadership of Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P.
In October 2002, Monsignor Scicluna was nominated Promoter of Justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith detailed to investigate and prosecute the more grave crimes reserved to the exclusive competence of the Congregation.
He has also lectured widely on issues concerning child protection in the Church, visiting a number of local churches in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia. Mgr Scicluna is a Visiting Lecturer in Penal Processes at the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome) and helps with chaplaincy work at the Convent of the Nuns of Saint Bridget, Piazza Farnese and at the Venerable English College in Rome.
The Archidiocese of Malta should rejoice that Mgr Scicluna has been returned to Malta as our Auxiliary BIshop, thus succeeding the late Mgr Depasquale. Having known the new bishop at the Major Seminary in Malta, I can only bear this testimony: he is a great devout of Our Mother, Mary, a formidable academic and a person who has many excellent human and spiritual qualitieis which will be so valuable for Malta. Undoubtedly, Mgr Archbishop Paul Cremona and His Grace Bishop Mario Grech will benefit from the addition of Mgr Scicluna to the local episcopal conference. This is an important milestone in the development of the local Church and all Christians should pray for our bishops, particularly for Mgr Scicluna whose ordination as bishop is scheduled for 24 November.
The nomination and elevation of Mgr Charles J.Scicluna as Auxiliary Bishop of Malta, to work closely with Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona O.P. for the benefit of the Maltese Church and it’s people, is very welcome and timely.
He is very well prepared for this ministry, both educationally and spiritually. His characteristic smile and ready to serve nature, will surely be assets in his ministry.
His predecessors in office, the late Bishops Emmanuel Galea and the late Bishop
Annetto Depasquale, surely will be very good models in such an important and delicate ministry to which Divine Providence is calling Him to serve.
Mgr l mifsud insejt lill xi hadd wara l-isqof Galea kien hemm Mons Gerada ukoll
Kif nista naghmel appuntament ma Mgr. Charles Scicluna biex inkellmu. (e-mail jew telephone number)