FATHER DEZZA SERVED CHRIST IN THE PERSON OF HIS VICAR

VATICAN CITY, DEC 21, 1999 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon in The Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father presided at the funeral of Cardinal Paolo Dezza S.J., who died in Rome on the night of Friday, December 17. The members of the College of Cardinals concelebrated the event with John Paul II.

In his homily, the Holy Father recalled that Father Dezza "was born in Advent, on the day of St. Lucy, and died during Advent, closer to Christmas. For him, death was a 'holy door,' the last
passage that opens onto eternity."

"Beyond death, and accompanying him to full communion with God," the Pope continued, "I like to think that Father Paolo Dezza found three greatly loved faces, Mary, Peter and Ignatius, with whom Providence had wished to unite his spiritual journey."

Pope John Paul affirmed that, "the ideal of St. Ignatius to 'serve Christ in the person of His vicar' was the rule to which the late cardinal dedicated his entire life; he did so generously and disinterestedly, with intelligence, prudence, faith and kindness. He was not unaware of the defects of the Church and those within her, but with great dedication, rich in love and faith, he contributed to alleviating the effects of these shortcomings, working for true renewal of the Church."

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