Statement of Dr Bill Murphy, Bishop of Kerry on the election of His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI ‘Habemus Papam – We have a Pope’

20 Apr 2005

PRESS RELEASE

20 APRIL 2005

STATEMENT OF DR BILL MURPHY, BISHOP OF KERRY ON THE ELECTION OF

HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER AS POPE BENEDICT XVI

‘Habemus Papam – We have a Pope’

 
I welcome the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI. He
brings to the papacy a remarkable intellect, a deep spirituality, a facility
with languages, experience of pastoral ministry as a priest in Germany. Pope
Benedict XVI is a renowned theologian and was a peritus at the Second Vatican
Council, which was summoned by Pope John XXIII in order to present the Christian
faith in a language accessible to modern people. This is the great challenge
still facing the Church in contemporary society. Pope Benedict XVI is very
well qualified to meet this challenge.
 
I had the privilege to meet Cardinal Ratzinger in Rome in 1999 and I was
very impressed by his friendliness, simplicity and spirituality. I ask you
all to pray for him and for the success of his ministry as Supreme
Pastor of the Catholic Church.
 
+Bill Murphy
Bishop of Kerry

Further information:

Rev. Rory O’ Sullivan, Director of Communications, Diocese of Kerry (086 6018566)
Rome: Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Ireland: Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)
 
NOTES TO EDITORS:
 Bishop Murphy will be available for interview in St. John’s Parish Centre,
Castle St. Tralee at 4.30 p.m. tomorrow (Wed 20 April) following a prior
engagement.