TELEGRAM UPON THE DEATH OF LUTHERAN THEOLOGIAN

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - The following is the telegram sent by John Paul II to Professor Marc Lienhard, president of the Lutheran Church of Alsace, France, for the death of Professor Oscar Cullmann, one of the major Protestant theologians of this century:

"Having learned with great sadness the news of the death of Professor Oscar Cullmann, I share in the sorrow of those close to him and of those who benefitted from his teaching and enlightened counsel. His unwavering faith and his commitment to theology and ecumenism during this century will remain a path to follow for Christians. I have a living recollection of his active participation in the Second Vatican Council during which he facilitated a renewal of ecumenical dialogue and fraternal relations between Christian communities. I entrust him to Christ the Savior whom he wished to know and serve all through his life, asking him to welcome him in his Kingdom and give to those who are in mourning the comfort of his blessings."

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