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Millions are grateful for his holiness: Archbishop Hart

Published: February 11, 2013

"Millions of Catholics are grateful for his holiness and teaching, and are encouraged by (the Pope's) gentle and loving service," says the head of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart, in a statement released last night following the resignation of Pope Benedict.

"As he retires to a life of prayer for the Church, we remember with gratitude and prayer his faithfulness to the call given him as Vicar of Christ and chief pastor of the universal Church," Archbishiop Hart added.

Cardinal Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, said the resignation had come as a surprise to him, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"Pope Benedict has always loved the church and worked to do what was best for her," Cardinal Pell said, who is considered a frontrunner as successor to the Pope.

"We thank him for his years of devoted leadership and service and his brilliant teaching.

"We will pray for him as he enters retirement. We shall also pray for the church as she prepares to choose the next successor of St Peter."


FULL STATEMENT BY ARCHBISHOP HART

RELATED COVERAGE

Pope Benedict XVI resigns because of failing health (SMH)

 

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Recent Comments

  1. Who considers him a frontrunner as successor to the Pope?

  2. I join with people all over the World, in wishing our dear Holy Father, Pope Benedict 16th, a blessed and relaxing Retirement, after the rigours of his fruitful, wise and loving giudance as the Vicour of Christ.
    May Almighty God abundantly bless you and His Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph guard and protect you.
    I was blest to be able to attend World Youth Day in Sydney and to see the Holy Father and receive his Blessing and to witness the outpouring of love for him from the Youth.
    With love and gratitude...

  3. Pope Benedict was an endless problem to the RC Church for his sympathy for Nazis during WW2. His appointment was a great disappoint to millions Roman Catholics and Europeans, like me.

  4. I am sorry but the Nazi-sympathiser comment is a bit rich.
    Please read some history.

  5. Roger: He sympathised with the Nazis, did he? What's next? He denied the Holocaust?
    He's high up in the Freemasons? Are you being serious, or just doing a little trolling?

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