Appresa la notizia della scomparsa dell’Arcivescovo di Glasgow, Em.mo Card. Thomas Joseph Winning, avvenuta ieri mattina, il Santo Padre Giovanni Paolo II ha inviato il telegramma di cordoglio che pubblichiamo qui di seguito:

ARCHDIOCESAN ADMINISTRATOR

ARCHDIOCESE OF GLASGOW

SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE SUDDEN DEATH OF CARDINAL THOMAS JOSEPH WINNING, ARCHBISHOP OF GLASGOW, I EXTEND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES AND THE ASSURANCE OF MY SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAITY OF THE ARCHDIOCESE AND TO THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN SCOTLAND. IN RECALLING CARDINAL WINNING’S GENEROUS AND COMMITTED SERVICE AS PRIEST AND BISHOP, I JOIN IN GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS BESTOWED UPON THE CHURCH THROUGH HIS MINISTRY. DURING THOSE LONG YEARS, THIS ZEALOUS PASTOR ENCOURAGED THE COMMUNITIES HE SERVED IN FAITH AND CHRISTIAN LIVING, AND WAS PARTICULARLY OUTSTANDING IN DEFENCE OF LIFE AND COMMITMENT TO THE POOR. I AM CONFIDENT THAT HIS EXAMPLE WILL INSPIRE ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH IN SCOTLAND TO GROW IN THEIR LOVE OF CHRIST AND TO INCREASE THEIR RESOLVE TO SERVE THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN A SPIRIT OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY. ENTRUSTING ALL WHO ARE MOURNING THE LATE CARDINAL TO THE PROTECTION OF MARY, MOTHER OF THE REDEEMER, I CORDIALLY IMPART MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF COMFORT AND STRENGTH IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

IOANNES PAULUS PP. II

[01031-02.01] [Original text: English]