Residents mourn the death of Pope John Paul II (From Gazette Series)

Residents mourn the death of Pope John Paul II

ROMAN CATHOLICS from all over Bristol and South Gloucestershire attended Sung Requiem Mass at Clifton Cathedral on Sunday to mark the death of Pope John Paul II.

Two masses were celebrated by the Bishop of Clifton, the Right Rev Declan Lang, and the cathedral has been open for prayer, as usual, throughout the week.

The 84-year-old Pontiff, who led the Catholic Church for 26 years, died on Saturday from Parkinson's Disease.

His well-documented illness had prompted the world to prepare for his death and thousands have gathered outside the Vatican to pay their respects and see his lying in state before today's funeral.

Canon Robert Corrigan, the Dean of Clifton, said: "Throughout Friday and Saturday a steady number of people came to the Cathedral to spend time in silent prayer.

"I have been very moved by the people from other Christian Churches and from other faiths who have rung to say that they are holding the Holy Father in their prayers."

Prayer cards with Prayers upon the Death of Pope John Paul II and for the election of his successor are available in all churches within the diocese.

Bishop Declan Lang said: "Throughout his long pontificate Pope John Paul provided vigorous, courageous and sometimes controversial leadership to the Catholic Church and beyond.

"Above all he believed in the dignity of the individual and the value of human life from its beginning in the womb to the moment of death. In many ways this belief arose from his experiences in Poland during the Second World War when he saw the cruelty and degradation that human beings can inflict upon one another.

"He spoke out against the use of violence as a means to resolve differences and pleaded that war should no longer be part of the human agenda. He strongly opposed the war in Iraq and was not afraid to speak out concerning this issue.

"His many journeys to different parts of the world showed his concern for all people and was a living out of his ministry to bring unity to the Church. He saw the Jubilee Year 2000 as a time for renewal and reconciliation.

"He sought to heal the wounds that had been inflicted between the Roman Catholic Church and other bodies, both Christian and people of other faiths. He often welcomed Christian leaders to Rome such as, Archbishop Rowan Williams, and he initiated meetings of leaders of other religions such as the gathering in Assisi in 1986 while still proclaiming the uniqueness of Christ."

The retired Bishop of Clifton, the Right Rev Mervyn Alexander said: "John Wesley said, "the world is my parish", and Pope John Paul has given these words a new meaning in his hundred trips abroad. Like St Paul he has desired to be all things to all people.

"In spite of health problems he has not spared himself in undertaking exhausting journeys.

"Pope John Paul has certainly been a loving shepherd and has been greatly loved in return."