Catholics mourn death of 'John Paul The Great'
Jun 13, 2005
Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu has described Pope John Paul II as "John Paul the Great" for the "great amount of work" he did.
(rveritas-asia.org, April 2005) "It is incredible that during the pope's 26-year reign, he had worked tirelessly," the cardinal-archbishop of Bangkok said at an April 3 Mass at Assumption Cathedral in the Thai capital. It is "apparent that he was one of the greatest popes in Church history," added the prelate, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand.
"The death of the head of the Catholic Church has brought great sadness and anguish to all Catholics in the Thai Church," Cardinal Michai said.
Pope John Paul died at his apartment in the Vatican at 9:37 p.m. on April 2, which was 2:37 a.m. on April 3 in Thailand. He was 84.
Highlighting the breadth of the pope's work, the cardinal said that when Pope John Paul marked the 25th anniversary of his pontificate in October 2003, he had produced 14 encyclicals, 13 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, 42 apostolic letters and about 200 volumes of speeches and talks for various occasions. The pope also guided the drafting of the new Code of Canon Law, which he promulgated in 1983, and the 1995 "Catechism of the Catholic Church," the cardinal added.
Entering the penultimate year of his pontificate, the pope also had canonized 469 saints and bestowed the title "blessed," one step away from being declared a saint, on 1,314 people. The Thai Church leader went on to cite Pope John Paul as being a key force in the collapse of European communism, as well as being the first pope to visit a Jewish synagogue, in Rome in 1986, and a mosque, in Syria in 2001. By the time of his 25th anniversary, the Polish pope had made 203 trips to 129 countries, covering 1,167,000 kilometers, equivalent to going around the world 30 times.
Cardinal Michai observed that the pope meant much for Thai Catholics too. "The Holy Father created the first-ever cardinal in Thailand, and he officially visited Thailand May 10-12, 1984. His visit brought us so much joy and happiness that we cannot forget until today," the prelate said. He became Thailand's first cardinal on Feb. 2, 1983.
The cardinal recalled the pope telling Thai Catholics during his visit: "You may be a small minority in your own country, but Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, is very much concerned for you and he takes care of you with special love." This still "echoes in our memory," Cardinal Michai said. Catholics number about 300,000 among Thailand's 62 million people. More than 90 percent of Thais are Buddhists.
Local media reported that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his condolences to Thai Catholics. He also ordered all flags to be flown at half-mast for three days beginning April 4 as a show of respect.
Cardinal Michai, who left for Rome April 4 evening to attend the pope's funeral and participate in the conclave that will elect the next pope, said, "Every Catholic here can wholeheartedly proclaim that Pope John Paul II was the greatest gift and grace that God has given to us."
Cardinal Michai, 76, is one of 10 cardinals from Asia among the 117 cardinals eligible to take part in the conclave. A cardinal loses this eligibility, as well as his eligibility to be elected pope, when he turns 80.
Meanwhile, diocesan leaders across Thailand have instructed parishes to offer Mass daily for the pope.
Bishop-elect John Bosco Panya Kritcharoen of Ratchaburi told UCA News April 4 that he sent out letters instructing parishes to offer such Masses until the pope's burial, which Vatican officials have set for the morning of April 8.
The bishop-elect expressed his wish that the late pope "will be declared a saint someday." He added that being one of the last few bishops to be appointed by Pope John Paul is "a legacy" for him to serve the Church. The pope appointed him bishop of Ratchaburi, in western Thailand, on March 18. His episcopal ordination is to take place in May.
In Surat Thani diocese, which covers 15 southern provinces, Bishop Prathan Sridarunsil told UCA News he also sent out letters all parishes directing them to offer Masses for the pope for nine days starting from April 3, in accordance with the Church's official nine-day period of mourning.
Bishop Prathan said he too would continue to draw great inspiration from Pope John Paul, who appointed him bishop of Surat Thani on Oct. 9, 2004. He pointed out that the pope worked until the end of his life despite his illness and suffering, and "never left his flock."
Chiang Mai diocese in northern Thailand has asked Catholics to wear either black or white for nine days as a sign of mourning, according to Father Narongchai Mansuksa.
The priest, secretary to Bishop Joseph Sangval Surasarang of Chiang Mai, told UCA News on April 4 that the bishop would preside at an official requiem Mass for the pope at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Chiang Mai on the evening of April 8, the scheduled date of the pope's funeral.
Catholics mourn death of 'John Paul The Great'