CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

From Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Archbishop Antony, the president of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., sent letters of condolence to Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, the Vatican nuncio to the United States, and Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, upon learning of the death of Pope John Paul II. Following is the text of the message.

The spiritual children - the venerable clergy, monastics and devout Christ-loving faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., join with His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine, His Eminence Archbishop Vsevolod and myself, in assuring Your Eminence and through you, the people of God of the Ancient Church of Rome of our prayers for the repose of the soul of His faithful servant John Paul II, bishop and servant of the servants of God.

John Paul II's unswerving fidelity to the risen Christ and his unambiguous proclamation of the Gospel of life have imprinted upon the world the seal of his unique apostolate. As bishops exercising various ranks and responsibilities in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., we were blessed on several occasions to share a moment in time with one who sincerely viewed us as brothers united by Word and Sacrament.

We are confident that Almighty God, Who honored him with the dignity of priest, bishop and shepherd in this life, will accept the spiritual fruits of his labors on His Heavenly and Noetic altar and reward him with eternal life.

May Christ our true God, Who rules over the living and the dead, rest the soul of His faithful servant John Paul II in the region of the living. May He open for him the gates of paradise and make him a citizen of His heavenly kingdom, for he loved Him greatly.

May his memory be eternal!

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 10, 2005, No. 15, Vol. LXXIII

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