Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Moscow (Fides Service) - “We mourn a Pontiff open to humanity and to the world, a man who defended the dignity of the human person, and human rights and freedom”, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow said in a message to Catholics in view of the Conclave.
“During the long pontificate of John Paul II the Church undertook a process of renewal and growth following the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and post council doctrine. She opened to the world, to other Christian confessions, to other religions … John Paul II was the Moses of our era who led the Church into the Third Christian Millennium” the Archbishop said.
“His call at the beginning of his pontificate: “Do not be afraid! Open the doors to Christ!” led to the fall of totalitarian regimes above all in eastern Europe, whose peoples took the path of democracy and acquired their fundamental rights including the right to profess their faith. Thanks to his ministry many felt the need to search for eternal values. As a Slav Pope he loved Russia in a special way … the name of John Paul II is linked with the restoration of the structures of the Catholic Church in Russia. We will never forget his continual prayers and concern”. The Archbishop asks: “How many gestures of goodness, signs of respect for our nation, for the Russian Orthodox Church and the great Russian culture he showed during his pontificate. And were we attentive to them? Did we appreciate their importance and value?”
Lastly Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said to Catholics “it is our holy duty to pray to God that during the election the Holy Spirit will show the college of Cardinals who is to guide the boat of Peter, the Church, in the future on the tumultuous waves of this beginning of the 21st century”. (AP) (13/4/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:30; Parole:377)
