OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Australian Catholics commemorate John Paul II

Canberra (Fides Service) - “Catholics in Australia, individuals, associations, movements, schools, parishes are preparing to commemorate the figure of John Paul II on the first anniversary of his death. In Catholic churches on Sunday 2 April there will be special prayers and many parishes have organised conferences, debates and showing of films on the life of the pontiff remembered by Australians with love and gratitude” said Archbishop Francis Carroll of Canberra who is president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Australia. “His words and deeds are impressed on our minds and hearts”, the Archbishop said and he asked. “Who can ever forget the prayer vigil in St Peter’s Square on the eve of his death ?” Archbishop Carroll remarked that Pope Benedict XVI has recognised the holiness of his predecessor allowing the cause for beatification to start immediately.
For his part the Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, archbishop Denis Hart noted that the 1st anniversary of the Pope’s death falls as the Church prepares to start Holy Week and will certainly help the faithful reflect more deeply on the significance of Christ’s death and Resurrection. He added: “We will never forget the words of the then Cardinal Ratzinger in his homily as he presided John Paul II’s funeral “We can be certain - said the eminent theologian Cardinal - that today he is up there at the window of the Father’s House looking at us and blessing us”.
To mark the first anniversary of the Pope’s death various Australian newspapers Catholic and non will published special features on the life of John Paul II. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2006 righe 23 parole 234)