Archbishop Seán Brady statement on the death of Pope John Paul II

02 Apr 2005

PRESS RELEASE

2 April 2005

Archbishop Seán Brady statement on the death of Pope John Paul II

In response to the announcement this evening by the Holy See of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Seán Brady, Primate of All Ireland, has issued the following statement:

“A life of outstanding faith and generous service to Christ and the whole human family has serenely departed this world this evening with the death of our beloved Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.  

We mourn with heavy hearts and an immense sense of loss the death of a loving Pastor, a gentle teacher and a courageous leader.  We thank God for his holy life, his inspiring example and his unfailing affection for Ireland and the Irish people.  

We join with countless others around the world in grateful memory and prayerful intercession for his eternal happiness and peace.”

A Press Conference will be held at 8.00am, tomorrow, Sunday 3rd April 2005, in the Sacristy of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. Dr Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher and Dr John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore will be present.

Further information:
Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
                                      
Notes to editors:

  • Dr Seán Brady is Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.  
  • The Catholic Communications Office has a special feature on itswebsite to mark the death of Pope John Paul II which includes an onlineBook of Condolence and statements from the Vatican and the Irish Bishops’Conference (www.catholiccommunications.ie)
  • On 16th October 1978 Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow, Poland, was electedthe 264th Pope of the Catholic Church, and took the name John Paul II.
  • Pope John Paul II visited Ireland on 29th, 30th September and 1st October 1979.  Ireland was the third pilgrimage of his Pontificate.
  • Audio links to the Pope’s 1979 homilies and speeches in Ireland, are available here …