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'Stunning courage, charisma, and humor' Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, made the following statement on the death of Pope John Paul II: The staff of the Catholic Conference joins the bishops of New York State, Catholics around the world and all people of good will in mourning the death of Pope John Paul II. Few people in history have touched as many lives and had so profound an impact on the world as this awesome man. God truly blessed us with his leadership as the successor of St. Peter for these last 26 years. John Paul was a theologian, an intellectual, a gifted writer, a man of stunning courage, charisma and humor, and a most holy priest. His legacy will resonate through the ages. In his inaugural homily on October 22, 1978, the Holy Father echoed the words of the angel who appeared to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation: "Be not afraid." His entire papacy reflected that message. And now, with his death, we must remember it as well. Our Church will not be quite the same without Pope John Paul II, and we will miss him terribly. But we will not be afraid. We will carry on. We will continue to rejoice in the Good News and to proclaim the Gospel of Life, which he so brilliantly articulated and which he lived until the very end. Now free of his earthly suffering, may this good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ rest in His eternal peace. (The Catholic Conference represents New York's bishops in matters of public policy.) (4/7/05) |