It is with sadness that I received the news of the death of the Bishop of Rome, Pope John Paul II. The death of the Holy Father grieves all Christians, as we recognize the loss of a man who dedicated his life to bringing the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Pope John Paul II worked vigorously throughout his papacy to obtain a closer union among different Christian denominations, and also reached out with respect and love to leaders of other faiths. Episcopalians remember him as a friend and gentle brother in the faith who several times welcomed in Rome both the Archbishop of Canterbury and our own Presiding Bishop, and who responded affirmatively to the invitation from Canterbury to pray at the Cathedral founded by St. Augustine. His encyclicals are his legacy for Christian union and for the continual concord between our churches.
We want to express our most sincere condolences to our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers around the world that mourn this great man of faith. We will continue in prayer as the new pontiff is elected in the coming weeks, confident that God will again bless the Church with a faithful leader who will bless all Christians and inspire us to serve Christ faithfully.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
+Leo Frade
Bishop of Southeast Florida
