April 2, 2005

TORONTO – The Right Rev. Dr. Peter Short, Moderator of The United Church of Canada, today expressed condolences to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the news of the death of Pope John Paul II.

"The United Church of Canada shares with sisters and brothers of faith in the worldwide Roman Catholic community a deep sense of loss in the passing of John Paul II. He presided through a critical period of world history with a deep spirituality evidenced in his remarkable pastoral concern for the world's suffering. He overcame historic barriers between communities of faith and led the world to new understandings of relationship between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. He inspired people of faith with his courage and strength in illness and in death. We offer our sincere prayers for the Roman Catholic family, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Pope. We celebrate his remarkable contributions and his faithful witness to the grace and love of God known in Jesus Christ."

United Church of Canada