April 5, 2005

Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008

Dear Friends in Christ:

We were saddened to hear of the death of the Holy Father, John Paul II, on Saturday; and we wish to send our heartfelt condolences.

We are a Christian denomination of 250,000 members with activities in fifty nations of the world. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share your sorrow on losing a leader who was able to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ so clearly and so compellingly. At the same time, we rejoice in the resurrection our Lord, and we trust that the Holy Father’s suffering has been relieved and that he is in the presence of God.

John Paul II was a man of courage and conviction, and he served as an example of the great things a person dedicated to the ministry of our Lord can accomplish. Although he experienced misfortune as a young man, his great faith led him to become a person every Christian can find reason to admire.

Please accept our deeply felt compassion, as well as our hope that the one who is soon to be called will be one in whom all disciples of our Lord will find reason to admire and emulate.

Also, please share our condolences and best wishes to any other representatives of the church as may seem appropriate.

Fraternally,

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Peter A. Judd