VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2004 (VIS) - John Paul II sent the following telegram of condolences to Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, archbishop of Santiago de Chile, upon having learned of the death of his predecessor, Cardinal Juan Francisco Fresno Larraín at age 90.
"Deeply saddened at the sad news of the death of the beloved Cardinal Juan Francisco Fresno Larraín, archbishop emeritus of Santiago de Chile, after a long illness which he bore with great serenity and strength of character, I express my condolences to you, the auxiliary bishops and clergy, and the lay and religious communities of your archdiocese. I join you in commending the dedicated pastor, who served your people and the Church with prudence and pastoral charity, to the mercy of Our Heavenly Father.
"His generous and intense ministerial work, first as priest of the clergy of Santiago, and then as bishop in Copiapo, in La Serena and then seven years in the particular church of Santiago, demonstrates his dedication to the cause of the Gospel, and also indicates his deep love for the Church and the qualities that he had.
"In these moments of sorrow in which the ecclesial community of Santiago and so many faithful mourn the death of their beloved pastor and, as I remember his warm welcome on my pastoral visit in 1987, I am happy to impart the comforting apostolic blessing on you as a sign of hope in the victory of the Risen Lord."
TGR/DEATH CARDINAL FRESNO/ERRAZURIZ VIS 20041015 (250)
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