TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL JOOS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 3, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father sent the following telegram of condolence to Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium, upon the death of the Belgian Cardinal Gustaaf Joos yesterday at age 81.

"Having learned of the death of Cardinal Gustaaf Joos with sadness, I express my closeness in prayer to the diocese of Gent, the Church in Belgium and the family of the late cardinal. As I remember our common years in Rome, I join all those in prayer who mourn the death of Cardinal Joos, whom I made a cardinal in the last consistory. I pray that Our Lord welcomes into his kingdom his faithful servant who served for such a long time in pastoral commitments. I impart upon you, Cardinal Danneels, my heartfelt apostolic blessing, as well as upon the pastors and faithful of Belgium and to all the parishioners in Landskouter, Belgium."
TGR/DEATH/JOOS VIS 041103 (160)

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