HCEF Board of directors, Advisory Board, President and employees offer their condolences to all people of the Christian faith, that they may be strengthened in their ministry, and feed their sheep as John Paul II’s exemplified in his service to the Church. They remember John Paul II, a beloved leader and shepherd for Catholics and all Christians around the world. His leadership of the Church followed in the courageous and sacrificial leadership of Peter. When the Lord asked Peter if he loved him above all other things, Peter replied “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” The Lord repeated his question twice more, each time replying “Then feed my sheep.” That is how John Paul also showed his love for Christ, by giving not only Catholics, but all Christians, Muslims and Jews and all humanity, true “food of life.”
For Immediate Release
HCEF Board of directors, Advisory Board, President and employees offer their condolences to all people of the Christian faith, that they may be strengthened in their ministry, and feed their sheep as John Paul II’s exemplified in his service to the Church. They remember John Paul II, a beloved leader and shepherd for Catholics and all Christians around the world. His leadership of the Church followed in the courageous and sacrificial leadership of Peter. When the Lord asked Peter if he loved him above all other things, Peter replied “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” The Lord repeated his question twice more, each time replying “Then feed my sheep.” That is how John Paul also showed his love for Christ, by giving not only Catholics, but all Christians, Muslims and Jews and all humanity, true “food of life.”
John Paul II was particularly close to the Christians in the Holy Land, and during his visit in March 2000 to the Holy Land, HCEF President Rateb Rabie recalls being at has side as he spoke from Manger Square, in a statement of courage and hope: “Do not be afraid to preserve your Christian presence and heritage in the very place where the Savior was born.” “Today from Manger Square, we cry out to every time and place, and to every person, “Peace be with you! Do not be afraid!” These words resound through the pages of Scripture. They are divine words, spoken by Jesus himself after he rose from the dead: “Do not be afraid!” They are the words of the Church to you today.
The Holy Father had previously spoken to refugees at Dheisheh refugee camp, on the outskirts of Bethlehem, recalling that their ancestors could be the shepherds who first heard the news of Christ’s birth. Only months later, the second Intifada began, and their hopes for political peace were washed away. But Palestinian Christians have not forgotten his encouragement, and above all his unequivocal stance condemning violence and proclaiming the truth about injustice in their lives. He reminded them that they are not alone and that they belong to the universal Body of Christ, which cannot be broken by any political force.
John Paul II will perhaps be most remembered for his audacious travels and meetings with leaders and communities that had previously been left separate from the Church. He visited synagogues and mosques, he reached out to the man who had attempted to assassinate him, and he made it a central goal in his Pontificate to unite the Church, that it might “breathe with both lungs” – the East and the West.
Pope John Paul II leaves behind legacy of hope and courage – hope for a healing and forgiving humanity, and courage to stand against injustice, and to welcome weakness and suffering as part of God’s plan of redemption for the world. John Paul II will be dearly missed, as a great leader and friend of all.
