OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - “The Pope has given the students of the whole world the most precious lesson with the example of his life”: Catholic school students pray for the Pope

Sydney (Fides Agency) - Together with the other faithful, also the Australian students joined the prayer for John Paul II in the churches and cathedrals of all the dioceses. From the start of the week, in all the catholic schools in Australia, there were moments of prayer for all students. “It is a significant and historical moment for our catholic schools, - says Anne Benjamin, director of the office for catholic education of the diocese of Parramatta - for our students the only Pope they ever knew died and for all of us this is a precious opportunity to reflect on his contribution to the Church. As a great educator, the Pope felt a special tenderness for children and young people. He also fondly loved the intellectual research of truth and had great respect for professors and educators”. The head of the office for catholic education of the archdiocese of Sydney, Br. Kelvin Caravan, stresses that John Paul II gave “the students of the whole world the most precious lesson, with the witness of his life, which he lived under the sign of service and love”. Some documents to help pray with the students and reflect were also prepared and made available to all schools.
(MS) (Fides Agency, 7/4/2005; 17 lines, 237 words)