It is with sentiments of profound sadness and shock that we have learned 
about the passing of our Holy Father Pope John Paul II at 8.37pm tonight.  
Even though we have been expecting his death for the past 48 hours, in 
the end it seemed to  come suddenly.

We pray for the eternal repose of his soul. We thank God for his life and 
for his wholehearted dedication to Christ and his Church especially during 
his 26 and a half years as Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ.

We had been prepared for his departure by prayers and vigils during the 
past few days. When it was announced, the death bell tolled in the Cathedral, 
and a crowd of faithful people soon gathered.  With priests and people we 
said the Rosary,  which was followed by a Holy Hour.  With mourners around 
the world we were united in spirit.

The world no longer has this moral leader whom it respected.  The Church
has lost its universal Father and Shepherd. Our hearts are in mourning, and 
at the same time they have a deep sense of peace and hope, for this man of 
God left us an unforgettable legacy.

The image of his last blessing to the world at Easter, will remain in the 
memories of many people.  His powerful personality and dedicated life have 
influenced for good people of all faiths and none.  His extraordinary 
ministry over 26 years has touched the lives of countless people.  All 
those under 30 years of age would remember no other Pope.  He spoke out 
fearlessly against terrorism, exploitation, warfare and all that degraded 
the lives of men and women.  His voice was a clarion call that echoed 
around the globe on behalf of freedom, human dignity and peace among 
nations.  

He travelled the world as no Pope ever did.  The driving force that urged 
him on, at times to complete exhaustion, was the desire and duty to proclaim 
the Gospel of Christ, with its message of salvation.  He obeyed literally 
the words of Christ to his Apostles:  “Go out into the world and proclaim 
the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15).  He was never ashamed of the 
message of Christ.  Even when the truths he spoke were at times unpopular, 
he never glossed over them or never silenced his voice.

He died on Saturday, the eve of the Sunday of Divine Mercy. Mercy was an 
attribute of Almighty God he had always. God’s mercy became tangible in his 
very word and deed.  And he was Totus tuus (All yours), a loyal and dedicated 
servant of Our Lady.

Many tributes have rightly been paid to Pope John Paul II.  I add my own 
respect and love for the Holy Father whom I met on various occasions.  He 
was it who appointed me bishop of this diocese 10 years ago.  May Our Lady, 
Mother of the Church, whom he revered with such confidence and trust, lead 
him to the glory of the risen Christ.  

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. 
May he rest in peace.

I ask the priests and the faithful of all the parishes of the Diocese to 
remember him at prayer and at Mass.  Masses on Sunday (I shall celebrate 
the 11.15am Mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral) and on Wednesday (and/or on the 
day of his funeral), will be specially for him.  We can be sure that he 
will continue to be a father for the Church and the world from his place 
in heaven.


+ Philip Boyce OCD
Bishop of Raphoe
4th April 2005