Statement of the Bishop of Raphoe on the death of Pope John Paul II

2 April 2005

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.  It was he 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  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.  

X  Philip Boyce OCD

Bishop of Raphoe