LWF Hails a "Truly Remarkable Human Life," and "Highly Significant Pontificate"
GENEVA, 2 April 2005 (LWI) * The death of Pope John Paul II today, marks the end not only of a truly remarkable human life but also of a highly significant pontificate of the Roman Catholic Church at a crucial stage of human history. This is the message contained in a statement of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) released today, following the pope's death this evening.
Pope John Paul II died at 21.37 hours today, aged 84 in his private apartment following heart and kidneys' failure after a urinary tract infection, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls announced in a written statement. Despite his precarious health, the pope had decided to remain in his residence at the Vatican rather than return to Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he had been hospitalized twice since February.
In his statement, LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, recognizes that the Roman Catholic during the pontificate of John Paul II, "contributed substantially to major ecumenical processes, particularly to the network of bilateral doctrinal dialogues," of which it has been a strong advocate since the Second Vatican Council.
Bilateral relations between the LWF and Roman Catholic Church "have continued to develop fruitfully," in the course of John Paul II's pontificate, Noko says. He singles out the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) signed between both worldwide church bodies on 31 October 1999 in Augsburg, Germany, as a milestone in this relationship. The JDDJ, Noko notes, "represents a significant ecumenical breakthrough reaching beyond the bilateral relationship of the signing partners directly involved."
Noko also lauds the pope's strong focus on personal relationships, his deep spirituality in the exercise of overwhelming responsibilities, and his constant search for the most appropriate ways for the Roman pontiff to serve the unity of the church. He cites the encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," in which John Paul II invited bishops from different Christian traditions worldwide to participate in discussing how the papacy could best fulfill the ministry of Christian unity.
Whereas for many churches the papacy lies beyond what they could adopt for themselves, many Christians would at the same time recognize that this pope truly exemplified a pastoral ministry of unity, Noko says.
On the pope's travels to different parts of the world, "the eucharistic message of reconciliation in Christ was made explicit in striking ways," during public celebration of mass at altars erected in the midst of social and political complexities, although only Roman Catholics could partake of the Eucharist as such. Noko says the ecumenical difficulties related to eucharistic fellowship remain an urgent matter for the churches in the search for Christian unity.
The LWF General Secretary pays tribute to John Paul II for recognizing the potential for peace in a faith-based approach. The pope was able, in unique ways, to bring together different religious leaders in common reflection and prayerful commitment to the cause of peace all over the world, Noko says.
The LWF General Secretary says this pope will also be remembered for his deep and active involvement in issues of social justice, and the promotion of "the free and common exercise of religious faith as a fundamental human right." His pontificate "has been one of relentless search for ways in which the Roman Catholic Church could help to alleviate suffering from political and economic oppression, from racial and social discrimination, and from poverty, hunger and illness," worldwide.
May the Holy Spirit use the legacy of Pope John Paul II in accordance with the divine purpose, Noko concludes.
Karol Jozef Wojtyla, known as John Paul II since his election to the papacy 16 October 1978, was born on 18 May 1920 in Wadowice, near Krakow, southern Poland. He was ordained as a priest in 1946, and was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958. He was nominated Archbishop of Krakow in 1964, and made Cardinal in 1967. As head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope for more than 450 years, was the spiritual leader of over one billion Christians.
Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko
General Secretary
Geneva
2 April 2005
(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138 member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of nearly 66 million Christians. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)
[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]
GENEVA, 2 April 2005 (LWI) * The death of Pope John Paul II today, marks the end not only of a truly remarkable human life but also of a highly significant pontificate of the Roman Catholic Church at a crucial stage of human history. This is the message contained in a statement of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) released today, following the pope's death this evening.
Pope John Paul II died at 21.37 hours today, aged 84 in his private apartment following heart and kidneys' failure after a urinary tract infection, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls announced in a written statement. Despite his precarious health, the pope had decided to remain in his residence at the Vatican rather than return to Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he had been hospitalized twice since February.
In his statement, LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, recognizes that the Roman Catholic during the pontificate of John Paul II, "contributed substantially to major ecumenical processes, particularly to the network of bilateral doctrinal dialogues," of which it has been a strong advocate since the Second Vatican Council.
Bilateral relations between the LWF and Roman Catholic Church "have continued to develop fruitfully," in the course of John Paul II's pontificate, Noko says. He singles out the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) signed between both worldwide church bodies on 31 October 1999 in Augsburg, Germany, as a milestone in this relationship. The JDDJ, Noko notes, "represents a significant ecumenical breakthrough reaching beyond the bilateral relationship of the signing partners directly involved."
Noko also lauds the pope's strong focus on personal relationships, his deep spirituality in the exercise of overwhelming responsibilities, and his constant search for the most appropriate ways for the Roman pontiff to serve the unity of the church. He cites the encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," in which John Paul II invited bishops from different Christian traditions worldwide to participate in discussing how the papacy could best fulfill the ministry of Christian unity.
Whereas for many churches the papacy lies beyond what they could adopt for themselves, many Christians would at the same time recognize that this pope truly exemplified a pastoral ministry of unity, Noko says.
On the pope's travels to different parts of the world, "the eucharistic message of reconciliation in Christ was made explicit in striking ways," during public celebration of mass at altars erected in the midst of social and political complexities, although only Roman Catholics could partake of the Eucharist as such. Noko says the ecumenical difficulties related to eucharistic fellowship remain an urgent matter for the churches in the search for Christian unity.
The LWF General Secretary pays tribute to John Paul II for recognizing the potential for peace in a faith-based approach. The pope was able, in unique ways, to bring together different religious leaders in common reflection and prayerful commitment to the cause of peace all over the world, Noko says.
The LWF General Secretary says this pope will also be remembered for his deep and active involvement in issues of social justice, and the promotion of "the free and common exercise of religious faith as a fundamental human right." His pontificate "has been one of relentless search for ways in which the Roman Catholic Church could help to alleviate suffering from political and economic oppression, from racial and social discrimination, and from poverty, hunger and illness," worldwide.
May the Holy Spirit use the legacy of Pope John Paul II in accordance with the divine purpose, Noko concludes.
Karol Jozef Wojtyla, known as John Paul II since his election to the papacy 16 October 1978, was born on 18 May 1920 in Wadowice, near Krakow, southern Poland. He was ordained as a priest in 1946, and was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow in 1958. He was nominated Archbishop of Krakow in 1964, and made Cardinal in 1967. As head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope for more than 450 years, was the spiritual leader of over one billion Christians.
Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko
General Secretary
Geneva
2 April 2005
(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138 member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of nearly 66 million Christians. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)
[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]