Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, released the following statement on the passing of Pope Francis Monday morning.
“I join with my fellow Catholics and men and women around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis. I have great affection for him, since he was the Pope who took a chance and named me, an ordinary parish priest, to be a bishop, invigorating my life with a new ministry that has been a blessing for the past eight years. Recently I have been praying that he return to good health but, if God should decide to take him home, that death would come quickly and peacefully. It did.
As a priest and later as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and, for the past twelve years, as Pope, Francis he has reached out to people who are often overlooked and even despised. He has upheld the truth of the Catholic faith while showing great patience and sympathy toward those who find some of its moral and spiritual teachings difficult. He has reminded us that we must take better care of this Earth, our common home, or we may lose it. He has pleaded with national leaders to forsake war and to welcome migrants fleeing persecution and poverty. He has been a man fully engaged in the fundamental ministry of the Bishop of Rome: to confirm his brothers and sisters throughout the world in faith and love. We will miss him.
As we do with all loved ones and even for people we do not know who have died, let us pray for our brother, Francis, and commend him to God, now that his earthly pilgrimage has been completed. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
