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ACNS 3967	     |		ACO	     |		8 APRIL 2005

Anglican tributes to Pope John Paul II

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http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/39/50/acns3967.cfm

The Anglican Communion Office has received a great number of tributes to
Pope John Paul II, who died last Saturday.

Archbishop Peter Akinola, the Primate of All Nigeria, highlighted Pope John
Paul's leadership qualities. "He exemplified the unique life of Christ," he
said. "...a man of peace, who loved justice and promoted ecumenical and
inter-faith dialogue." The Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndungane, the Primate of
the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, stressed the Pope's great
concern for Africa. "We are particularly grateful for the attention he paid
to Africa and the developing world during his papacy...we share the grief
and loss of the Catholic Church at his passing."

For Australians, the co-Chair of the Anglican Roman Catholic International
Commission (ARCIC) and a member of the International Anglican Roman
Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), Archbishop Peter
Carnley, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, said he would
remember the Pope as a person of profound spirituality and Christian
conviction, and as a steady friend and supporter of ecumenical work. "John
Paul II," he said "was realistically aware of the challenges to overcome,
but took the adventurous step in his encyclical Ut Unum Sint to invite
other Churches to suggest ways in which his papal office might be made more
amenable to other Christians."

>From North America, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the
Most Revd Andrew Hutchison, recalled the Pope's inspiring visit to Toronto
in 2002. "He made himself accessible to people and communicated the Gospel
not only in words, but also by action," he said, remembering how his
passion for human rights had created a new reality in Eastern Europe.
"ARCIC, established in the wake of Vatican II, has continued to inspire
dialogue between our two churches at every level.....we will continue to
honour his memory in continuing to do all that we can to work towards the
visible unity of our churches."

The Presiding Bishop of the USA, the Most Revd Frank Griswold, stated, "His
voice and moral authority gave inspiration and hope to millions well beyond
the Roman Catholic Church."

The Rt Revd Mouneer Anis, the Bishop in Egypt, highlighted specific
instances of the Pope's moral authority. "He defended with courage the
rights of the Palestinians and resisted with his bold statements the war in
Iraq and the violence in the world."

The Church of England Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, the Rt Revd Geoffrey
Rowell, and his Suffragan Bishop the Rt Revd David Hamid, both of whom will
attend the Popeâ??s funeral, expressed gratitude to the Holy Fatherâ??s
kindness and warmth towards the Anglican Communion. In a letter expressing
their condolences to the Dean and College of Cardinals of the Diocese of
Rome, Bishop Geoffrey recalled how â??On many occasions the Holy Father
graciously welcomed me and my predecessors and other representatives of my
Diocese in Rome.

â??Such gestures of friendship have affirmed most positively the 'special
place'	which the Anglican Communion holds in the teaching of the Roman
Catholic Church. We are grateful that even when, at times, our official
bilateral relations have been strained the late Holy Father was unwavering
in his kindness and warmth towards the members of our Communion.â??

The bishops also said they â??treasure his vision of human dignity, his
appeal for solidarity between races and religions, and his undying call for
the human family to live in peace,â?? adding that â??All Christians have
lost a great pastor and teacher, who was throughout his life concerned with
the proclamation of the Christian Gospel.â??

The Pope, whose funeral will be held today in Rome, was a major force for
ecumenical relations between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches,
ensuring strong relationships with three Archbishops of Canterbury, the
late Lord Runcie, Lord Carey, and the Most Revd Rowan Williams.

The funeral is to be attended by Archbishop Rowan, the first Archbishop of
Canterbury to attend a papal funeral, and on behalf of the Anglican
Communion, the Secretary General, the Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon; the
Director of Ecumenical Affairs and Studies and Deputy Secretary General,
the Revd Canon Gregory Cameron; the co-Chair of ARCIC, the Most Revd Peter
Carnley; and the Rt Revd John Flack, the Archbishop of Canterbury's
Representative to the Holy See and the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

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