The Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, has expressed his sympathy and the condolences of the Church of Ireland people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, to Bishop Fintan Gavin and the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross and to Bishop William Crean and the people of the Diocese of Cloyne upon hearing the news of the death today of Pope Francis.
Expression of Sympathy and condolences:
It was with immense sadness that I heard the news, earlier this morning, of the death in Rome of His Holiness Pope Francis.
On behalf of us all in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross I extend our deep sympathy and condolences, together with the assurance of our prayers at this time of grief, to Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross and the people of his Diocese, and also to Bishop William Crean, Bishop of Cloyne, and the people of his Diocese.
I had the honour of meeting Pope Francis in Rome in May 2017 and, like so many others, was affected and influenced by his human gentleness, empathy and humility and, most of all, by his prayerfulness and deep spirituality.
We have all been, I am certain, conscious of and have witnessed his frailty and vulnerability as, with immense fortitude, he endured his suffering but continued resolutely to fulfil his calling and duty.
May he rest now in God’s peace and rise in glory.