TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL PADIYARA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2000 (VIS) - Below is the text of a telegram sent by the Pope to Archbishop Varkey Vithayathil C.SS.R., of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India, for the death of Cardinal Antony Padiyara, archbishop emeritus of that major archdiocese, at age 89:

"Saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Antony Padiyara, major archbishop emeritus of Ernakulam-Angamaly, I extend heartfelt condolences and the assurance of my spiritual closeness to you, and to the bishops, clergy, religious and laity of the Syro-Malabar Church. In recalling Cardinal Padiyara's generous and committed service as priest and later bishop in Ootacamund, Changanacherry and Ernakulam-Angamaly, I join you in giving thanks to God for the many blessings bestowed upon the Church through his ministry and I pray that the Good Shepherd will grant him eternal rest and bring him into the joy of the Kingdom. I am confident that his example will inspire all the members of the Syro-Malabar Church to grow in their love of Christ and to increase their commitment to serve their brothers and sisters in a spirit of Christian charity. Entrusting all who mourn his passing to the protection of St. Thomas the Apostle, I cordially impart my apostolic Blessing as a pledge of comfort and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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