April
2, 2005
A statement from Bishop Leo Frade
on
the death of Pope John Paul II
It
is with sadness that I received the news of the death of the Bishop
of Rome, Pope John Paul II. The death of the Holy Father grieves all
Christians, as we recognize the loss of a man who dedicated his life
to bringing the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Pope John Paul II
worked vigorously throughout his papacy to obtain a closer union among
different Christian denominations, and also reached out with respect
and love to leaders of other faiths. Episcopalians remember him as
a friend and gentle brother in the faith who several times welcomed
in Rome both the Archbishop of Canterbury and our own Presiding Bishop,
and who responded affirmatively to the invitation from Canterbury to
pray at the Cathedral founded by St. Augustine. His encyclicals are
his legacy for Christian union and for the continual concord between
our churches.
We want to express
our most sincere condolences to our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers
around the world that mourn this great man of faith. We will continue
in prayer as the new pontiff is elected in the coming weeks, confident
that God will again bless the Church with a faithful leader who will
bless all Christians and inspire us to serve Christ faithfully.
May he rest in peace
and rise in glory.
+Leo Frade
Bishop of Southeast
Florida
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