Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Fides Service) – “To the tens of millions of people, many of whom are not Roman Catholics Pope John Paul II is the great figure of our time, the defender and principle embodiment of a moral force that has led humanity safely through this bloodiest of centuries” – says Father Tony Martin Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Sri Lanka in a special message to Fides Service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Holy Father’s election to the See of Peter. “ He has been the champion for the cause of human freedom…Those who worked with him on a daily basis unanimously testify to his personal sanctity, his gentleness, kindness and his seemingly limitless capacity to listen evokes in one a special awe and reverence that swept me off my feet in my first encounter with Pope John Paul II”. Father Tony tells us that Catholics everywhere in Sri Lanka are untied in prayer with the universal Church for this memorable occasion. “His frail body and faltering voice is a testimony to us all – Fr Tony concludes adding - Let us pray for him as we pray that the Holy Spirit will gift to the Church when the time comes a successor who will be even more courageous and faithful to the Church, who will see in the poor the face of Christ and live authentically the truth that the Master wanted from his disciples.”
PA (Fides Service 17/10/2003 EM lines 19 Words: 277)
