CARDINAL PIERRE EYT OF BORDEAUX DEAD AT 67

VATICAN CITY, JUN 11, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to the diocesan administrator of the archdiocese of Bordeaux, France which is mourning the death of its archbishop, Cardinal Pierre Eyt, at the age of 67. Cardinal Eyt was born June 4, 1934 and created a cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of November 1994.

"Having learned with sadness of Cardinal Pierre Eyt's being called to God, I must tell you of my deep union in prayer with the archdiocese of Bordeaux, with the family of the deceased and with all those affected by his premature death. I trust to God's mercy dear Cardinal Eyt, keeping present in my heart the memory of my meetings with this pastor who was passionate in the search for the truth. He took care to place the gifts received from the Lord at the service of the people of God and of his brothers. I give thanks for his episcopal ministry in which he spent himself so generously, leading the people in his charge on the paths of the Gospel with the same zeal that he had in his previous ministries in the Catholic institutes of Toulouse and Paris. A man of dialogue and peace, he faced his illness with courage, abandoning himself with trust to the tenderness of the Lord. Recommending to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary the family and friends of Cardinal Eyt, and the clergy and faithful of the diocesan community of Bordeaux, I send my heartfelt apostolic blessing to you and to all who will take part in the funeral liturgy."

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