“It is with deep sadness that I have learned of the death of His Holiness, Pope 
John Paul 11.” 

“The prayers of the people and the priests of the Diocese of Ferns are - in 
communion with the prayers of millions throughout the world - offered for the 
repose of his gentle and good soul.” 

“In Pope John Paul 11, the Church – and the world - had a truly remarkable 
leader; he was a man of prayer and vision, a visibly heroic witness to Jesus 
Christ, a pilgrim pastor who stood firmly for the values of life and true human 
freedom.  

"His greatest legacy is the emphasis he placed on the dignity of all life - and 
most especially human life  - whether that life be born or unborn, young or old, 
able bodied or disabled – a classless one world approach, that was blind to skin 
colour.”

“In mourning his passing, we are called to hear afresh his proclaiming of the 
words of Jesus Christ to “launch out into the deep” and “to be not afraid”, 
trusting always in God the Father, in the manner and likeness of Jesus Christ.”

+Eamonn Walsh
Apostolic Administrator of Ferns