John Paul II saddened by disappearance of Spanish cardinal

Vatican City, Aug 25, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Pope John Paul issued a telegram, expressing his sorrow over the death of a Spanish cardinal. Marcelo Cardinal González Martín, archbishop emeritus of Toledo, died during the evening of Aug. 25. The Pope sent his message to the current archbishop of Toledo, Antonio Cañizares Llovera.

The Pope’s telegram reads:

Upon hearing the sad news of the death of of Mons. Marcelo Cardinal González Martín, archbishop emeritus of Toledo, I offer my fervent prayers united with the faithful of that diocesan community and with the faithful of Astorga and Barcelona where he previously excercized his episcopal ministry with solicitude, asking God to grant eternal rest to he who for many years was His diligent pastor.

Remembering his sacrificial pastoral action which distiguished him in his episcopal ministry in this nation, his work on the application of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council and the renovation of the Church in fidelity to Christ and the Successor of Peter, as well as his labour of dialogue and communion at the ecclesial level, I express my deep feelings of sorrow to Monsignor Cardinal Francisco Alvarez Martinez, to the clergy, religious communities, and faithful of this dear diocese, and also to his relatives, and I sincerely impart the consoling Apostolic Blessing, as a sign of Christian faith and hope in the Risen Christ.