Bishops congratulate Pope Benedict XVI on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood

29 Jun 2011

 

PRESS RELEASE

29 June 2011

Bishops congratulate Pope Benedict XVI on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood

Today, 29 June, the Feast day of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, marks the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Pope Benedict XVI to the priesthood.  Please see below a statement of congratulations from Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. Also contained below is the statement expressing good wishes to the Holy Father by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference after its June General Meeting:

Cardinal Brady “On behalf of the Catholics of Ireland I offer to His Holiness, Pope Benedict, our wholehearted congratulations and good wishes on the momentous occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of his ordination to priesthood, today 29 June.

“I express gratitude for all the graces and blessings which God has chosen to give through His Holiness and through his ministry, as priest, bishop and most especially as Supreme Pastor of the Church to so many people in so many places, through six decades of tireless service.

“It is a marvelous achievement to reach this milestone, and I pray God will continue to bless His Holiness with many more years of happiness and fulfillment, as he continues to lead and guide our Church”.

Irish Bishops: “We congratulate the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrates the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood today 29 June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Since his election as Bishop of Rome on 19 April 2005, Pope Benedict has led the Church with faith and humility and has reached out to many people.  In his pilgrimages he has spoken the truth with love and presented the gospel of Christ and the teaching of the Church in an engaging way to audiences of all ages.

“We invite the faithful in parishes and dioceses across the country to participate in 60 hours of Eucharistic adoration with the intention of praying for the sanctification of the clergy and for the gift of new and holy priestly vocations.  Celebrations might include 1 July, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for Priests. This celebration, which was suggested by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, provides the faithful with an opportunity to give thanks for the priestly ministry of Pope Benedict as well as to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life”.

ENDS

Further information:
Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678