c. 2000 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) From the pope to the president, religious and secular leaders, Christian and nonChristian joined Thursday (May 4) in praising and celebrating the life of New York’s Roman Catholic Cardinal John J. O’Connor, who died Wednesday night after a long struggle with brain cancer.
“The church in New York, and throughout the world, has lost a great and beloved churchman,” said Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. “He was a champion of the poor, the immigrant, the sick and the unborn, and he spoke and acted on their behalf with eloquence, vigor and an extraordinary measure of wit.
“Speaking for the bishops of the United States, and for so many others, I offer my condolences and prayers to the cardinal’s family and the people of New York. I give thanks to God for the light that shined through Cardinal O’Connor and I pray for the happy repose of his soul,” Fiorenza said.
O’Connor, who died at his home at 8:05 p.m., had suffered a string of health problems recently, including two minor falls in October and surgery to remove a brain tumor last August.
“His Eminence John Cardinal O’Connor has completed his earthly journey and has gone home to God,” said Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, announcing the death. “May the Lord grant eternal peace to the soul of our loving and faithful archbishop.”
Among those joining the chorus of praise for O’Connor was evangelist Billy Graham.
“The church has lost a great warrior and the country has lost a great patriot, who will long be remembered,” said Graham. “He was a bold and courageous man who stood firmly for what He believed. He was loyal and faithful to his friends and to his church.”
The American Jewish Committee, in a statement, said it “deeply mourns” the death of O’Connor, praising the cardinal for his “remarkable leadership in building human bridges of solidarity between Catholics and Jews.
“The cardinal was at the forefront in the struggle to free Soviet Jews, to eradicate every vestige of anti-Semitism, to commemorate the Holocaust, and to establish diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the State of Israel,” the statement said.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, praised O’Connor’s “pro-life commitment” and his “generous service to the church.”
“The death of his eminence, Cardinal John O’Connor, brings a close to an extraordinary chapter in the history of the Archdiocese of New York,” said Mahony. “He was at once the friend and champion of the ordinary person, while at the same time unflinching in his public defense of God’s plan of salvation and the church before world leaders.”
Republican presidential contender George W. Bush also expressed his sympathy, as did President Clinton.
“Hillary and I were saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal O’Connor,” read a statement issued by the president. “His lifelong journey was our nation’s blessing. From his distinguished career as a Navy chaplain, to his determination to give voice to the poor and marginalized in New York and across America, the courage and firm faith he showed in his final illness inspired us all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all who loved him.”
The pope announced that Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano _ the Vatican’s second-in-command _ will be his personal representative at O’Connor’s funeral, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT Monday (May 8).
“The Holy Father is deeply saddened by the news of Cardinal O’Connor’s death,” said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls. “He was a truly faithful shepherd and an outstanding witness to faith and human dignity. He performed his priestly duties in the most passionate manner, always helping those in need. His presence will surely be missed.”
Navarro-Valls did not say when the pope would name O’Connor’s successor. The pope had been expected to do so after O’Connor turned 80 in January, the age at which cardinals are excluded from voting for a new pope.
Among the possible candidates to follow in O’Connor’s footsteps are Bishop Henry Mansell, 62, of Buffalo, N.Y.; Bishop Sean Patrick O’Malley, 55, of Fall River, Mass.; and Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, 60, who served since 1997 as archbishop for the Catholic Archdiocese for the U.S. Military.
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