BishopAccountability.org
	Farewell to a Pastor Editorial Times of Malta [Malta] January 18, 2007 http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=249356 Archbishop Mgr Joseph Mercieca will today celebrate his farewell Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta, after 30 years at the helm of the Maltese diocese. His appointment as successor to the controversial Archbishop Michael Gonzi came at a turbulent time in Malta's recent history. That year, Dom Mintoff had won his second term in office in a bitterly-fought election. Relations between Church and state were abysmal and Mr Mintoff was about to embark on aggressive policies to divest the Church of her property and force her to run her schools free of charge. For Mgr Mercieca, his unexpected appointment was a veritable crown of thorns as he found himself in the maelstrom of social and political turmoil. Besides grappling with the issues of the Church schools and property, he faced the arduous task of trying to mend fences with the Labourites in his flock. Worse still, he had to operate in a frustrating situation where any stand or statement was exploited by the politicians to score points in the cutthroat political climate of the time. On one occasion, he was even subject to attempted physical assault while the country was gripped by political violence on an unprecedented scale. Even the Nationalist Party's return to power in 1987 did not stop the government dealing directly with the Vatican on the issue of the Church property and schools. Caring for the flock was no bed of roses. The liberalisation of the media was a mixed blessing and the ensuing pluralism unleashed the full force of secularism that in a more subtle way but with similar intent tried to confine the Church to the sacristy. Matters were compounded by indiscipline in the clergy, inter-parish feuds and accusations of sexual abuse and paedophilia in the ranks of the clergy. These matters must have hurt Mgr Mercieca deeply. Also, he had to operate under the glare of a media that would not hesitate to expose embarrassing situations. He did not relish the limelight and the numerous official pronouncements he made on so many issues facing our society were not fully exploited to his and the Church's advantage. In the recent years, the more serene political climate and the experience of years in office enabled him to express himself more forcefully and clearly than before, even if the Church's communications abilities still left a lot to be desired. Mgr Mercieca's humility and prudence proved his strong points. He did a great deal of good work unobtrusively. He suffered criticism and personal vilification in silence and made no effort to seek or cultivate popularity. The rapid decline in Church attendance, together with the drop in religious vocations, did not make matters any easier. Malta has changed a great deal over the last 30 years and not all changes have been for the better. Today the country faces the acute problem of environmental degradation, consumerism on an unprecedented scale, bioethical issues that were previously nonexistent and, above all, the increasing breakdown of the institution of the family that until not so many years ago was a secure feature of Maltese society. By its very nature, the role of a bishop appears a thankless task as he has to keep nudging the faithful on the right path and at the same time proclaim the Truth that will always confront the claims of the world. Mgr Mercieca deserves everyone's gratitude for having shepherded the Church into the new millennium during a chapter of Malta's history that posterity will probably judge as not one of the easiest.
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