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Statements of the NFPC - March 15, 2004
NFPC Mourns the Loss of Cardinal Koenig
The NFPC sends its condolences over the passing of Cardinal Franz Koenig, who died this past Saturday in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 98. In his seventy years of service as an ordained priest, Cardinal Koenig manifested the gifts of a truly great reformer. Both in his key role in preparations for the Second Vatican Council and, in the years following, during his courageous ministry as president of the papal Secretariat for Non-Believers, Koenig helped guide the way to building bridges with the churches behind the former Iron Curtain. A well-learned church scholar who studied under the late Karl Rahner and became fluent in seven languages, Koenig is perhaps best known for his pioneering efforts at spiritual renewal, as much abroad as in his home country, Austria. For his steadfast commitment to promoting dialogue with people of other faiths, the NFPC gives thanks for the legacy of Cardinal Franz Koenig.
NFPC Touched by Spanish Farewell Tribute
The NFPC expresses its solidarity with and sympathy to the hundreds of families of the victims of the terrorist blast in Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004. The deadly train bombings are an outrage to our common humanity, and are tragic not least for the extremism with which they assault our sense of the decency owed to the lives of innocent civilians. We commend the spirit of the citizens of Spain and have them in our prayers this Lenten season.
NFPC Congratulates the Holy Father
It is now official! Pope John Paul II on Sunday, March 14, served as the church’s leader for the 9,281st day, surpassing in longevity the mark reached by Pope Leo XIII in 1903 and thus making him the third longest-serving pontiff in history. The many years of the presence and service of Pope John Paul II are a continued blessing for the church in the world. Congratulations, Pope John Paul II!
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