Pope Benedict XVI

1927-2022

 

It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death of our retired Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on New Year's Eve.

 

Pope Benedict was born Joseph Ratzinger in Marktl-am-Inn in Bavaria, Germany on 16th April 1927.  He was ordained a priest in 1951 and spent much of his ministry as a university professor, theologian and author.

In 1977 he was chosen by Pope St Paul VI as Archbishop of Munich & Freising.  In 1981 Pope St John Paul II appointed him as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.  He continued in this role for the rest of St John Paul's pontificate.

 

Following the death of St John Paul in April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger was elected as his successor.  He took the name Benedict XVI.  Pope Benedict served the church until February 2013 when he resigned for reasons of ill health.

 

As a theologian Pope Benedict is remembered as one of the great religious teachers of the twentieth century. 

Our parish priest, Fr Damian McCaughan, was fortunate enough to be in St Peter's Square in April 2005 for the white smoke when Pope Benedict was elected and later had the opportunity to meet him and serve Mass for him on a couple of occasions while studying for the priesthood at the Irish College in Rome.
 
"Pope Benedict was known across the world as great teacher ," says Fr Damian, "but what impressed me on meeting him was his kindness, gentleness and the little twinkle in his eye! 

"Catholics call the Pope our Holy Father but Benedict really did have a grandfatherly way about him. God rest his soul."

A Prayer for Pope Benedict

 

O God, from whom the just receive an unfailing reward, grant that your servant Benedict, our Pope, whom you made Vicar of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may rejoice forever in the vision of your glory, for he was a faithful steward here on earth of the mysteries of your forgiveness and grace.

 

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.