Malta preparing for the appointment of a Cardinal

Second Maltese cardinal to be ordained tomorrow

Archbishop Prospero Grech will be made Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday, the 18th of February, 2012. He will be Malta’s second-ever Cardinal, with the first one being appointed more than a century ago.

Aged 86, Archbishop Grech is an Augustinian scholar, professor of hermeneutics and a discreet man who is not very known locally, but a theologian renowned within Vatican circles. He was one of 22 men nominated by the Pope last month, and was ordained as Archbishop at St John’s Co-Cathedral by the Archbishop of Malta, Paul Cremona in the beginning of February.

A number of Maltese people managed to secure a trip to Rome and will be present during the ceremony. Apart from close friends and relatives, a number of dignitaries such as President George Abela, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg, Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will all be attending the ceremony.

Archbishop Grech will be joining a College of Cardinals, the majority of which have all been ordained by the actual Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinals are chosen on their special devotion and holiness and together, they assist the Pope in the governance of the Catholic Church.