POPE JOHN PAUL II
MESSAGE FOR THE IRISH CATHOLIC
FROM THE MOST REVEREND SEÁN BRADY
ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH

Pope John Paul II repeats often the words of Christ: “Be not afraid”. He sees them as an inspirational call not to fear the truth about ourselves or about God, but to believe.

His courage in accepting and preaching the truth comes from his faith in Jesus Christ, the true light that enlightens everyone.

I have seen the Pope many times at prayer. I am convinced that his strong faith is constantly nourished by the hours he spends in conversation with God.

Pope John Paul II has suffered immensely during his life, losing his mother at the age of eight, his sister soon after birth and his brother in his 20s. He sees suffering as a test of physical and spiritual strength and as an incentive to pray with and for those who suffer.

Pope John Paul speaks directly and with passion to all people about the existence of God, about human dignity and about pain, about hope and about the civilization of love which we are called to create.

– His love of his native Poland – and of Ireland – which he visited so early in his pontificate is remarkable.
– His readiness to forgive his would-be assassin.
– His devotion to Mary, Mother of God and Mother of Mercy.
– The list of what inspires me about Pope John Paul could go on and on.

October 13, 1998.