20 Facts About Paul Cremona

Paul Cremona OP was a Maltese Roman Catholic prelate who was the Archbishop of Malta from 2007 to 2014.

Paul Cremona had two siblings: an elder brother and a younger sister.

In September 1962, Paul Cremona joined the Dominican Order and was professed on 29 September 1963.

Paul Cremona studied philosophy and theology at the College of St Thomas Aquinas located at the Dominican priory at Rabat.

Paul Cremona was elected Prior of Our Lady of the Grotto, Rabat, in 1974, and held that position from 1974 to 1980 and from 1997 to 2003.

Paul Cremona was Dominican Prior Provincial of Malta from 1981 to 1989.

In 1989, Paul Cremona was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Gwardamanga, Pieta, where he served until 1993.

Paul Cremona then became responsible for the formation of Dominican novices and students at Rabat, an office he again held between 2004 and 2005.

In 2005, Paul Cremona became parish priest of Jesus of Nazareth in Sliema.

Paul Cremona held other offices in the Archdiocese of Malta, including Archbishop's Delegate for Consecrated Life, assistant spiritual director at the Seminary at Tal-Virtu, Rabat, member of the Presbyterial Council, and president of the Council of Maltese Religious Major Superiors.

Paul Cremona was appointed the eleventh Archbishop of Malta on 2 December 2006.

Paul Cremona received his episcopal consecration on 26 January 2007 at the Co-Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Valletta from the retiring Archbishop of Malta, Joseph Mercieca, assisted by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto, and Bishop George Frendo, Cremona's former schoolmate.

In 2007, Paul Cremona was appointed Grand Prior for Malta of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem with the rank of Knight Grand Officer.

Paul Cremona wrote works on theology and spirituality, including on the Creed and the Commandments.

Paul Cremona co-authored works with George Frendo, his schoolmate and fellow bishop.

Paul Cremona said the next day that he had thought of resigning two years earlier, due to exhaustion.

Paul Cremona was the first bishop of Malta to resign prior to retirement age since the 19th-century.

Paul Cremona died following a long illness at Mater Dei Hospital, on 18 March 2025, at the age of 79.

Paul Cremona initially spent his retirement at the Dominican Friary in Rabat, Malta, before spending his final years at Id-Dar tal-Kleru in Birkirkara, a home specifically for retired priests.

Paul Cremona's funeral took place at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, on 22 March 2025.