Pope John Paul II

My dear People,

As we mourn the death of Pope John Paul II we cannot but give thanks for the tremendous grace of his long and fruitful pontificate. There are so many things for which we may give thanks and praise to God today. He was a tireless and determined witness to the truth of Jesus Christ. Through his countless visits to so many countries he carried out what was effectively a personal mission of evangelisation. The development of air travel and modern means of communication have meant that this Pope has been a "global" Pope in a way that was not possible for his predecessors. He has been a very visible Pope and this makes his death all the more a personal loss to all those who met him, saw him or were touched by his ministry and teaching.

He has also been a Pope whose outreach has extended well beyond the bounds of the Catholic Church. From my years in Rome working in the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, I know of his deep love for all Christians - both East and West - and his longing for the unity for which Christ prayed. He also took bold new initiatives in healing relations with the Jewish people and in fostering inter-religious dialogue. And he had a heart for all humanity. In our modern globalised world his loss will be felt by millions.

In the Catholic Church we thank God for a fearless teacher and defender of the Catholic Faith. Even in the manner of his dying he bore witness to central themes of his teaching ministry: the cross and the dignity of human life. Today we give thanks for his life and entrust him confidently to the Lord in whose footsteps he most faithfully followed.

His death has been a terrible loss but we would be untrue to the Gospel of hope that he preached if we did not look to the future with great confidence. Let us pray for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father and pray that the Holy Spirit may guide the Church in the weeks and months ahead. Let us be united in prayer and love at this very sad time

Kevin McDonald
Archbishop of Southwark

2nd April 2005

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