PRESS RELEASE
A press release from Family Life International, New Zealand

Monday April 4, 2005

PRESS RELEASE:
REGARDING THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

Farewell JP II, we love you!

It was with sadness that we at the John Paul II Centre for Life learned that our beloved Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, had passed away on Sunday morning, NZ time.

Pope John Paul II has been a heroic champion of the pro-life cause and his bold proclamation of the inalienable right to life which all human beings are entitled to, has been an inspiration for us and many others working to advance the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Abortion, bio-ethics, sexuality, euthanasia, contraception, same-sex marriage are just some of the many important issues that Pope John Paul II has made important moral statements about and the lack of his further wisdom on these and many other issues will be tremendously missed.

He championed the cause of the unborn child’s right to life and never once did he waver in openly encouraging those who took up this cause.

His writing’s on sexuality and life issues were prolific and visionary and they always focused on the dignity of every human person, no matter their state in life. His words were a beacon of unchanging truth and hope in a world where many individuals, families and societies are being wrought asunder by the current climate of moral relativity.

He was a light to many young people all over the world who saw in him something that no other world leader, celebrity or ideology has to offer. His unambiguous commitment to unchanging moral truths and saintly self-sacrifice for the sake of others was distinctly unique and a vital witness to many young people struggling to find grounding in this modern world.

John Paul II was sent at the right time in our history and his teachings on morality and justice were ground breaking, relevant and offered true dignity and direction to many people of all ages and races.

We will miss you JP II, your wisdom, holiness and example of true Christian love and selfless devotion to Christ and his Church were an inspiration to all of us.

“Grant, therefore, that we may listen with open and generous hearts to every word which proceeds from the mouth of God. Thus we shall learn not only to obey the commandment not to kill human life, but also to revere life, to love it and to foster it.”

Pope John Paul II
Encyclical Letter: Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)

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