The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, expresses his condolences to members of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly those in southeastern and south-central Michigan, on the death of their Pope, John Paul II.
"Pope John Paul II was an extraordinary religious and world leader for his nearly 27 years as Pontiff," Bishop Gibbs said. "His ability to spread the message of Christ's love for all people, and to communicate that message in eight languages, made him not only a gifted communicator for his Church but a beloved figure around the world."
Bishop Gibbs met Pope John Paul II a year and a half ago on a trip to Rome and the Vatican. "In our all too brief meeting I experienced his deep and abiding conviction of the gift of God's grace," said Bishop Gibbs. "He was truly a shepherd for all people of faith, Roman Catholic or otherwise, and for me a brother in the Christian faith.
"May he be delivered to a place of refreshment and everlasting blessedness."
