Diocesan News03 Apr 05

Statement by Bishop Henderson on the death of Pope John Paul II

The death of Pope John Paul II, though not unexpected, has left so many of us with an enormous sense of personal loss and the uncertainties that mark the end of an era.

Underneath his much-celebrated charisma, and undoubted courage, conviction and intellectual gifts, he had a rare gift of something more important: a natural fluency in speaking and teaching a language of faith, almost subliminal yet essential to us all, ancient yet modern, that still rings true wherever it is authentically lived and uttered. Through this fluency, his pastoral openness and personal warmth, he spoke so effectively of life, of death, of justice, of freedom, of hope, of truth and the dignity of the person. In his own life, sickness and death, John Paul II has faithfully born witness to this ? from his own personal integrity and transparency, to the persons of millions of others. We shall remember him with gratitude for his long and courageous influence as spiritual leader, personal and social healer ? where he showed that religion and politics need to interact creatively.

Here in the West of Ireland he is especially and affectionately remembered for his visit to Knock, and the profound influence of his radiant faith shared with the young people of Ireland he so much loved. Our prayers and sympathy are with the millions world-wide who grieve, and especially with our many friends and neighbours in the Roman Catholic Church.

+Richard Tuam:
Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry