The Moravian Church in America, Northern and Southern Provinces, join with fellow Christians around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis. The National Council of Churches, of which the Moravian Church in America is a member communion, has shared the following words:
“The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC)* joins 1.4 billion Catholics and millions of other Christians worldwide in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His light shone for all people—a beacon of compassion and hope for the marginalized, and a leader dedicated to his role as shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church.
His outward display of love and compassion for all people earned him the moniker ‘The People’s Pope,’ a name well deserved by his many acts of kindness, charity, and advocacy. Along with the Faithful who looked to him for spiritual guidance, we thank God for his ministry among us these past 12 years and celebrate his celebrate his witness to the world.
Image by Annett_Klingner from Pixabay
In a way, it is fitting that he should pass away, after a long illness, on the day after celebrating Easter. He lived and took each breath so that he might faithfully serve the Lord, and thus he goes to the Lord and enters eternal life after celebrating his resurrection. The significance of this moment is not lost on Catholic Faithful around the world, nor is it lost on all people of faith and goodwill, especially all Christians, who this year rejoiced in the confluence of Easter on the same day and thus celebrated the resurrection together.
“During this time of transition, NCC is keeping the Catholic Church in prayer and encouraging our member communions and other Christians worldwide to do the same. In moments like these, our faith teaches us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8, NRSVue), and for that blessed assurance we give God praise,” said NCC President and General Secretary Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie.”
May the memory of Pope Francis be eternal!”
In addition, the Rev. Dr. Jørgen Bottler, Unity Board Administrator for the worldwide Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum), shared the following from Christiansfeld, Denmark:
On behalf of the Worldwide Moravian Church, we express our respect for the legacy of Pope Francis, who showed solidarity with the poor and vulnerable people around the world. Pope Francis understood and supported the ecumenical work in many ways and took important steps towards greater unity among the Church World Communions. As Moravians, we are encouraged of the ecumenical spirit of the Pope Francis.
We join the Catholic Church in mourning his death. We remember the Apostle Paul’s words with hope:
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:20-22, NRSV)
In the grace of our Lord
Rev. Dr. Jørgen Bøytler, Unity Board Administrator
Please join us in prayer for our Catholic siblings.
* Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 37 member communions and more than 30 million Christians in a common commitment to God’s love and promise of unity.
