The Bishop of Chester has expressed his condolences and offered prayers on hearing of Pope Francis’ death on this Easter Monday morning.
Bishop Mark writes
“Pope Francis has been the most remarkable, prophetic, and inspiring of leaders. We stand with our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church as we give thanks for him and remember the millions of lives all around our world that have been blessed through his ministry.
Like the saint whose name he took as he accepted his papal vocation, Francis has been resolute on issues of justice, and spoken boldly across the theological and political issues of our day. Above all, he has always drawn us back to Christ, his Lord and ours. He leaves a remarkably legacy of grace, hope, and an aspiration for unity which deeply reflects the Scriptures he clearly knew and loved, and upon which we must continue to build.
I have written to Archbishop Malcolm and Bishop Mark Davies expressing our condolences and assuring them of our ongoing fellowship and prayers as we stand together in the hope of the resurrection of Christ. As the Church of Rome grieves and then begins a period of discernment we stand with them in gratitude, sorrow, and hope.
As I recall some of the Holy Father’s words over the years, I commend our sisters and brothers to your prayers and invite you to lift your eyes afresh to the risen Lord whom Pope Francis loved and served.
There is a powerful instinct within us which tells us that our lives do not end with death. This thirst for life found its true and reliable answer in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus… The one who practises mercy does not fear death. And why does he not fear it? Because he looks death in the face in the wounds of his brothers and sisters, and he overcomes it with the love of Jesus Christ. (Pope Francis, November 2013)”