KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Bishop Paul J. Bradley released the following statement on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday, December 31.
Bishop Bradley met the pope on a number of occasions, most recently in 2012, shortly before the Pope’s historic retirement in 2013.
“It is with great confidence in Christ’s promises, yet with sadness of heart, that we have received the news that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, has been called from this world to the eternal life with our Heavenly Father. At the same time, we offer our prayers for the repose of the soul of Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, who has “finished the race” here on earth, that he may enjoy at last the eternal rest and unending joy of the saints in Heaven.
“Pope Benedict’s contribution to the Church has been immeasurable: from his early days as a priest, when he was an expert for the Second Vatican Council, to his role as President of the Commission to draft the Catechism of the Catholic Church, to his tenure as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, to his election on April 19, 2005, as the 265th Roman Pontiff and Shepherd of the more than one billion Catholics world-wide. He led the Church with courage and gentle dignity; through his writings and teaching, including his encyclicals “Deus est Caritas” (“God is Love”, 2005), “Spe Salvi” (“Saved by Hope”, 2007), and “Caritas in Veritate” (“Love in Truth”, 2009), he gave the Church greater insight and clarity into our faith. During his papacy, Pope Benedict’s guidance, teaching, and pastoral governance moved the Church forward into a time of renewal, through the call to a New Evangelization.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict captivated our nation with his Apostolic Visit to the United States in 2008, during which he celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium, and gave an inspiring address to the United Nations. I had the great pleasure of meeting Pope Emeritus Benedict on two separate occasions, the last of which was in 2012, when I presented him with a spiritual bouquet of prayers from the Faithful of the Diocese of Kalamazoo (see photo below). He felt our prayers then and continued to receive them during his years as Pope Emeritus. He will be known for his surprising and historic resignation from the papacy on February 28, 2013.
“Let us join together in prayer, asking our Loving God to welcome Pope Emeritus Benedict into the Heavenly Kingdom. May he receive the reward for his 95 years of faithful witness to and love for Jesus Christ, as we offer our thanksgiving to the Lord for this Holy Father’s long-standing service to the Church and to the world.”
Bishop Bradley will celebrate a special public Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Wednesday, January 4, at 12:10 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo and has asked all 59 parishes in the Diocese of Kalamazoo to also offer Masses for the Holy Father’s eternal rest.
For a list of parishes visit www.diokzoo.org.
