Catholics in Suva Hold Mass to Remember
Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, has paid homage to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict XVI passed away on December 31, 2022. He was 95.
In 2005, he was elected pope, becoming the first German to hold the position in 500 years.
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI submitted his resignation due to sickness, Pope Francis became his successor.
His Grace highlighted that no Pope was perfect just as the current Pope Francis began his papacy by asking for prayers because he too was a sinner.
Pope Benedict XVI was known by many as the first Pope to tender his papacy in almost 600 years.
Archbishop Loy Chong said: “Dear Friends, here in the Archdiocese of Suva at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, we join the universal catholic church in thanking God for the gift of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
“We mark our moment of mourning and also thanking God for the gift of Pope Benedict XVI.”
Mass
During a memorial mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Archbishop Chong acknowledged the life the late Pope went through.
Pope Benedict XVI grew up during the Nazi Germany era, when infamous Adolf Hitler was at the helm of leadership. “Pope Benedict was born around that time, his faith and family upbringing prepared him for the harsh experience of the problems connected to the Nazi regime,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.
“He (Pope Benedict XVI) even remembers seeing his parish priest being bitten by the Nazi’s before celebrating Holy Mass.”
“And was aware of the fearlessly hostile atmosphere to the catholic church that existed in Germany during that time.”
Archbishop Loy Chong said that people need to pray and celebrate a life worth celebrating.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis presided over Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral yesterday, calling his predecessor “a great master of catechesis.”Pope Benedict XVI was laid to rest yesterday at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican City, Rome in the crypts beneath St Peter’s Basilica.
This is where Pope John Paul II was first buried in 2005 before his body was transferred to a chapel in the basilica in 2011.
The above are in accordance to Pope Benedict XVI’s wishes.