Pope Sends Condolences for 2 Cardinals, Funerals Held for Retired Archbishops of Tokyo, Armagh

Vatican City: January 06, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Benedict XVI is expressing hiscondolences after the deaths of Cardinal Seiichi Shirayanagi, retiredarchbishop of Tokyo, Japan, and Cardinal Cahal Brendan Daly, retiredarchbishop of Armagh, Ireland.

In a telegram sent to the current head of the Tokyo Archdiocese,Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada, on Dec. 30, the day Cardinal Shirayanagi diedat the age of 81, the Pope offered "heartfelt condolences."

The Pontiff stated, "I recall with gratitude Cardinal Shirayanagi'sunfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel in Japan in his many yearsas priest and bishop, his work for the promotion of justice and peace, andhis tireless efforts on behalf of refugees."

"With you," he wrote to the archbishop, "I pray that God the Father ofMercies may grant Cardinal Shirayanagi the reward of his labors and welcomehis noble soul into the light and peace of Heaven."

"To all assembled for the solemn Mass of Christian burial, I cordiallyimpart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in theLord," the Holy Father concluded. The funeral of the cardinal wascelebrated today.

Born in Hachioji, Japan, Seiichi Shirayanagi was ordained a priest in 1954for the Tokyo Archdiocese. In 1966 he was appointed as auxiliary bishop forthat same diocese, and became archbishop in 1970. Cardinal Shirayanagiretired from his position in 2000.

The day after the Japanese cardinal's death, Cardinal Daly passed away atthe age of 92.

Ireland

In a telegram publicized Saturday, Benedict XVI expressed his condolencesto Cardinal Sean Brady, the current archbishop of Armagh.

"I recall with gratitude," the Pope wrote, "Cardinal Daly's long years ofdevoted pastoral service to the church as priest, bishop and primate of allIreland, his assistance as a member of the college of cardinals, andespecially his sustained efforts in the promotion of justice and peace inNorthern Ireland."

He continued: "In communion with you in the Holy Spirit I pray that,through the grace of Christ, God our Merciful Father may grant him thereward of his labors and welcome his soul into the joy and peace of theKingdom of Heaven.

"To all gathered for the solemn rites of Christian burial and especiallyto Cardinal Daly's relatives and friends, I cordially impart my apostolicblessing as a pledge of consolation and hope in the Lord."

The funeral Mass and burial of the cardinal took place today.

Born in Loughguile, Northern Ireland, Cahal Brendan Daly was ordained apriest in 1941. He was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Ardagh andClonmacnois, Ireland, in 1967.

In 1982 he was appointed to lead the Diocese of Down and Connor, and thenin 1990 to the Archdiocese of Armagh. Cardinal Daly retired in 1996 on his79th birthday.

News source: www.zenit.org