PRESS RELEASE
20 APRIL 2005
STATEMENT OF DR DONAL MURRAY BISHOP OF LIMERICK
ON THE ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
In his first words to the people gathered in St Peter’s Square, the new Holy
Father, Benedict XVI, entrusted himself to our prayers. I ask the people of
the diocese to respond to that request and to remember him in your prayers
as he undertakes the heavy responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders.
When the date for the solemn inauguration of his ministry is announced, we
will make arrangements so that we can join our prayers for him with those of
the whole Church.
The name Benedict points towards St Benedict of Norcia, the father of western
monasticism. It is, therefore a reminder of Pope John Paul’s insistence that
all Christian living and renewal must be founded on holiness.
It also points to the previous holder of that name, Pope Benedict XV, who
laboured hard to bring peace during the First World War. He pointed to the
horrors of war and also to the evils that exist even within particular
societies – racial hatred, jealousy, envy and selfishness[1]. The new Pope
takes up his office in a world threatened by violence in many different
forms.
From this moment his name will be in the Eucharistic Prayer of every Mass.
We should try to be alert to the meaning of those words as we offer our gifts
in sacrifice for the Church, asking the Father to grant her peace and unity
throughout the world, and for Benedict our Pope.
+Donal Murray
19 April 2005
[1] Benedict XV, Ad Beatissimi Apostolorum, 7.
Further information:
Rome: Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Ireland: Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
