Profound sorrow for the
death of Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, Archbishop emeritus of Montréal, was
expressed by the Pope in a telegram sent to the cardinal’s successor,
Archbishop Christian Lépine. “As we are celebrating the Resurrection of the
Lord”, the Pope writes, “I implore [Him] to welcome into the light of eternal
life this faithful Pastor who served the Church with dedication”. He served
“not only in his diocese but also on a national level as President of the
Episcopal Conference of Canada, and at the same time he was a member of various
dicasteries in Rome. A zealous pastor, attentive to the challenges of the
contemporary Church, he actively participated in the Synod of Bishops in 1994
on ‘Consecrated Life and its mission in the Church and in the world’ and was
one of the leaders at the Synod in 1997 on America”. Cardinal Jean-Claude
Turcotte, who had been seriously ill for some time, was a patient in Hôpital
Marie-Clarac in Montréal, where he died on Wednesday, 8 April. Turcotte was
born in Montréal on 26 June 1936 and was
ordained a priest on 24 May 1959. He was appointed to the titular see of Suas on 14 April 1982. He was appointed
Auxiliary Bishop of Montréal and received his episcopal ordination on 29 June
1982. On 17 March 1990 he was appointed Archbishop of Montréal. John Paul II
created him a cardinal at the Consistory of 26 November 1994 with the Title of
Nostra Signora del Santissimo Sacramento e dei Santi martiri Canadesi. On 20
March 2012 he resigned as Archbishop of
Montréal….
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which he continued his catechetical series on the family, concluding his reflections on the role of children in family life. Below, please find the English summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today we continue our reflection on children, the greatest blessing which God has bestowed on man and woman. I wish to focus our attention on the suffering which many children are experiencing. From the first moments of their lives, some are rejected, abandoned, and robbed of their infancy and future. There are those who say it is a mistake to bring these children into the world, due to their fragility, and the hunger and poverty they suffer. But children are never a mistake, and their sufferings are only reasons for us to love them even more.
Every child who begs on the streets, who is denied an education or medical care, is a cry to God. Too often, these children become prey to criminals, who exploit them for commerce or violence. Even in wealthy countries, they suffer due to family crises and living conditions which are at times inhumane. In every case, their childhood is violated in body and soul. How did Jesus respond to the children and their parents who brought them to him: “Let the children come to me… for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” ( Mt 19:14). How beautiful the trust of these parents, and the response of Jesus! And there are many extraordinary parents who daily make sacrifices for their children.
The Church offers her maternal care to all children and their families, and she brings them the blessing of Jesus. May we always care for our children, not counting the cost, so that they may never believe themselves to be mistakes, but always know their infinite worth.
Greetings :
I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Ireland, Sweden, Nigeria, Japan, Thailand, Canada and the United States. May the Risen Lord confirm you in faith and make you witnesses of his love and mercy to all people. May God bless you!
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which he continued his catechetical series on the family, concluding his reflections on the role of children in family life. Below, please find the English summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks. *********************************** Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today we continue our reflection on…
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