Archbishop Gilbert tells Catholics ‘pray for John Paul’

ROMAN CATHOLIC Archbish-op Edward Gilbert asked the thousands of persons assembled at the Santa Rosa RC Church and the entire local Catholic community for a moment of silence in honour of Pope John Paul II, who died at the Vatican yesterday. Speaking at the start of confirmation services for 200 children at the Santa Rosa RC Church yesterday evening, Archbishop Gilbert said: “We gather for a joyous celebration and yet in sadness at the death of Pope John Paul II.”

He called upon those assembled, and Catholics everywhere, for a moment’s silence and to pray for “this extraordinary man... to bring him home... and for peace in the world.” The Archbishop said the Pope had left “a lasting legacy and his shoes will be hard to fill.” He was on top of his ministry, and whoever he spoke with felt they were the only person in the world. This was Gilbert’s first official function, following the death of the 84-year-old Pontiff.

Bishop John Mendes, who was ordained by the late Pontiff, called upon Catholics to rejoice about the life of John Paul II. Speaking with Sunday Newsday prior to the service, Vicar-General of the Roman Catholic Church, Fr Christian Pereira, disclosed that a special mass will be held for the late Pope John Paul II at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port-of-Spain either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Fr Pereira said top officials of the RC Archdiocese will meet with the local representative of the Vatican to discuss plans for the mass over the next 48 hours. Anglican Bishop of Trinidad and Tobago, Calvin Bess, expressed the Anglican Church’s condolences to the RC Church on the Pope’s passing. Bess described John Paul II as “a tremendous Christian” who did much to advance the cause of Jesus Christ during his lifetime. Bells at the Cathedral tolled for two minutes yesterday as a mark of respect for John Paul II.