TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF LITHUANIAN CARDINAL SLADKEVICIUS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2000 (VIS) - John Paul II sent the following telegram to Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius S.J., of Kaunas, Lithuania, upon the death yesterday of Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevicius M.C.I., archbishop emeritus of Kaunas, at the age of 79:

"Having learnt with deep emotion of the demise of the venerable Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevicius, archbishop emeritus of Kaunas, Lithuania, I express my deep sadness for the passing of a zealous servant of the Lord who, in his long ecclesiastical ministry, was an authentic witness of the Gospel. He was a priest of great faith and fervent piety and, although prevented for many years from practicing his episcopal ministry and placed under confinement, he never allowed himself to be intimidated, always giving a shining example of indomitable faith in Divine Providence and faithful loyalty to the See of Peter. I give thanks to God for this heroic priest and bishop that He gave to His Church and raise fervent prayers that He may accept him into eternal joy. At the same time, I send to you, to the Lithuanian Church and to all those who share the pain for the death of this brother who was so dear to me, a comforting apostolic blessing."

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