Pope John Paul II 'Inspired Generations'
A statement by the Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC General Minister and President
April 2, 2005
We stand in prayer with Catholics around the globe as they mourn the death of Pope John Paul II, leader of the Roman Catholic Church for more than a quarter of a century. The United Church of Christ, committed at its inception to ecumenical relationships and the unity of the whole church of Jesus Christ, believes that when one part of the family grieves, all do. That which touches our sisters and brothers across the Christian faith touches us as well, and today we stand with Roman Catholic colleagues in the United States and around the world as they mourn the passing of their ecclesial and spiritual leader.
The Pope's deeply spiritual commitment to peace across the globe has been a remarkable contribution to the welfare of the whole world during this past century. His determination to maintain a profile of Christian faith on topics such as peace in the Middle East, Sudan, Eastern Europe, and throughout the globe have been a gift to all. His focus on the nurture and faith development of youth and young adults has inspired generations of young people, both within and beyond the Roman Catholic family. Differences we have in theological perspective do not keep us from giving testimony to this remarkable legacy of faith and we celebrate those achievements even as we mourn his death.
