Pope was a world leader and friend of Sri Lanka - Archbishop of Colombo

THE Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis issuing a condolence message on the pass away of Pope John Paul II said:

"The main feature of his pontificate was his campaign for human freedom and his influential defence of the dignity of human life.

"Pope John Paul II had a special concern for Sri Lanka. We had the good fortune of his visit to Sri Lanka on January 20, 1995, where he strongly emphasized the need of a negotiated political solution for the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka," message said.

The full text of the message:

"It is with profound sadness that I announce to you the demise of our beloved Holy Father Pope John Paul II. As the official announcement from the Vatican read His Holiness "returned to the house of the Father" at 19.37 GMT (local time 2.37 a.m. on Sunday).

Pope John Paul II, aged 84, was born in Wadowice, Poland on 18th May 1920. He had one other brother in the family. His mother died in 1929 and his elder brother, a medical doctor died in 1932 and his father died in 1941. Young Karol Jozef Wojtyla received First Communion at the age of 9 and Confirmation at the age of 18.

In 1942 when Poland came under the control of the Nazis he joined the clandestine Seminary and trained for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest in Krakow on 1st November 1946. He received his education at the Krakow University and late in Rome.

On 4th July 1958 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow by Pope Pius XII and was consecrated on 28th September 1958. Pope Paul VI nominated him Archbishop of Krakow on 13th January 1964 and created him Cardinal on 26th June 1967. Elected Pope in succession to Pope John Paul I, he began his pontificate on 16th October 1978.

Since then he has completed 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. His principal documents include 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 Constitutions and 45 apostolic letters. He has also published five books.

Beside this he has presided at 147 beatification ceremonies and proclaimed 1,338 blessed and 51 canonization ceremonies declaring 482 Saints. He has held 9 Consistories and created 231 Cardinals and one more in pectore.

He has met 17,600.000 pilgrims at his general audiences in Rome and met 738 heads of State and 246 Prime Ministers.

The main feature of his pontificate was his campaign for human freedom and defence his influential defence of the dignity of human life. He certainly was in the forefront of the battle for freedom in the Communist dominated East Europe and elsewhere.

His campaign for the preservation of the sanctity of human life and his Pro-life Movement, made him come out strongly against abortion, euthanasia, contraception and embryonic-tissue research.

Pope John Paul II had a special concern for Sri Lanka. We had the good fortune of his visit to Sri Lanka on 20th January 1995 where he strongly emphasised the need of a negotiated political solution for the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

At every turn he has advocated peace clearing condemning violence as a means to settle problems. His special concern for peace in Sri Lanka made him appeal to the world Christian community to pray for peace in the Island.

Even on other occasions of distress like the recent tsunami, Pope John Paul II appealed to the world community to help Sri Lanka and pray for her.

In this death of the third longest reigning Pope, we have lost not only the Chief Pastor of our Catholic community but a world leader who stood for the well being of the whole human race and a friend of Sri Lanka. While we mourn the death of our beloved Pope let us pray that God would bless him with the eternal reward he amply deserves.

As a mark of respect for the Holy Father let us observe seven days of mourning in this Archdiocese commencing today, Sunday April 3.

Accordingly I recommend that -

1. No celebrations manifesting external solemnity take place during this week until Sunday, April 10th.

2. Church bells be tolled (in requiem form - 5 strokes and 1) three times a day after the Angelus.

3. Prayers for the deceased Pope be included in the Canon of the Mass and the Prayers of the Faithful.

4. The National Catholic flags be hoisted half-mast in all the churches, institutions and homes and where possible during the period of mourning.

A special Requiem Mass will be held at St. Lucia's Cathedral, Kotahena on the day of the funeral (when officially notified) presided over by the Most Rev. Dr. Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Sri Lanka.

All Their Lordship the Bishops, State guests, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries will be invited to attend this celebration together with the priests, religious and lay faithful.

Details of this celebration will be notified later".